National Indigenous Council

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today thanked the National Indigenous Council and its members for their contribution to the previous Government over the past four years.

“I have decided not to continue with the National Indigenous Council beyond its current term,” Ms Macklin said.

The National Indigenous Council’s term expired on the 31 December 2007.

“The National Indigenous Council has played an influential role in Government decision making and I would like to acknowledge its hard work and commitment to supporting Indigenous Australians,” Ms Macklin said.

“I believe the interests of Indigenous people would be better served through a different approach.

“The Rudd Government will undertake discussions with Indigenous people about the best process to develop a new representative body. Through this process, we will strengthen links between Government and Indigenous communities.

“It is important that the new body has representation from urban, regional and remote Indigenous communities.

“And it is also important that strong links are established between the new Indigenous representative body and other Indigenous advisory committees.

“The Government will not be establishing a new ATSIC.”