Media Release by Senator the Hon Anne Ruston

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council to inform the next National Plan to end family, domestic and sexual violence

 The Morrison Government has established a 13-member Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council to inform the development of the next National Plan to end family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia and support the implementation of the Closing the Gap Target 13.
 
Indigenous rights campaigner Professor Sandra Creamer will be the interim chair of the multidisciplinary Advisory Council and be joined by advisors from across the health, community services, legal services, children and family services, and university sectors.
 
Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston said the Advisory Council would help ensure the issues and challenges facing First Nations peoples were elevated and given specific focus in the next National Plan.
 
“It is my absolute commitment, to not just hear but, to really listen to and respect the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women,” Minister Ruston said.
 
“The diverse backgrounds and expertise of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council will ensure a genuine partnership as we work together to develop the next National Plan.
 
“Importantly, the advisors have a wealth of experience working on the ground in communities which will be vital to develop community-led solutions to on-the-ground challenges.”
 
The Morrison Government made a $1 million commitment in the 2021-22 Budget to establish and operate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council over the next three years.
 
The advisors on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council have been appointed for three years and include:

  • Interim Chair: Professor Sandra Creamer AM – CEO, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance
  • Muriel Bamblett AO – CEO, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, and Co-chair, SNAICC, National Voice for our Children
  • Shirleen Campbell – Coordinator, Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group
  • Professor Bronwyn Carlson – Head of Department of Indigenous Studies, Macquarie University 
  • Emily Carter – CEO, Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre
  • Susan Cook – Financial counsellor, Salvation Army, and Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network
  • Fiona Cornforth – CEO, Healing Foundation
  • Warren Smith – Program Manager and Supervisor of Darwin Indigenous Men’s Service, Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter
  • Professor Victoria Hovane – Psychologist and professor, Centre for Indigenous Peoples and Community Justice, University of Western Australia, and Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia
  • Kelly Treloar – Disability Royal Commission Project Manager, First Peoples Disability Network
  • Rachel Dunn – CEO, Karadi Aboriginal Corporation
  • Geiza Stow – Board member, Mura Kosker (Torres Strait Islands)
  • Robert Skeen – CEO, Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council and Chair, South Australia Aboriginal Community Controlled Network.