Abolishing ATSIC: the end of self-determination?

On 15 April 2004, the Prime Minister announced the Government’s decision to abandon ATSIC and return all Indigenous-specific programs and funding to mainstream departments. Under the Government’s plan there was to be no replacement elected Indigenous body, just a hand-picked advisory body, the National Indigenous Council (NIC).

This effectively ends self-determination as the basis of Commonwealth policy on Indigenous affairs. It takes Indigenous affairs back to the assimilationist policies of the 1960s.

The decision goes against the Government’s own review of ATSIC, which recommended a re-structuring of the organisation with greater emphasis on Indigenous decision-making at a regional level. It also runs counter to evidence both from here and overseas about tackling Indigenous disadvantage.

The decision followed the Labor opposition's surprise announcement two weeks earlier that it would scrap ATSIC. However, Labor has pledged to replace ATSIC with a new Indigenous elected body with decision-making emphasis at a regional level.

The Government introduced legislation to abolish ATSIC in the June 2004 Parliamentary sittings. Labor, with the support of the Democrats and Greens, set up a Senate Select Committee on the Administration of Indigenous Affairs. ANTaR's submission to the Inquiry can be viewed here. The Committee's report was delivered on 8 March 2005. It recommended the formation of a national Indigenous elected representative body to replace ATSIC, and that the NIC should only be a temporary body.

The Government's legislation abolishing ATSIC was passed on 16 March 2005 with the support of the Labor Opposition. The 35 ATSIC Regional Councils have been left in place until 30 June this year to assist the transition on the ground, with skeleton staff and miniscule operating budgets.

The Government's actions have been widely criticised, particularly for its lack of consultation with and agreement from Indigenous people.

Regardless, the Government has pressed ahead with changes to Indigenous affairs policy based on 'mutual obligation' principles via 'shared responsibility agreements' with local communities.

The transition has been chaotic to say the least. Many mainstream departments were unprepared for the transfer of staff, resources and programs. Many Indigenous community organisations have had their funding delayed or interrupted. One of the many contradictions under the ‘new arrangements’ is in Native Title, where the Government is now directly involved in funding both opposing parties in a native title claim.

Under the new arrangements, the previous ATSIC regional offices have become Indigenous Coordination Centres (ICCs) housing staff from various departments to deal with programs such as housing, work for the dole, broadcasting etc. The ICCs are managing the transition and are the main Government contact points.

For now, any semblance of self-determination has been eradicated. The practical outcomes of the changes are yet to be evaluated.

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ANTaR's submission to the Inquiry ...here>>
Media release: Indigenous Policy - No care No responsibility - 8 Mar 05
ABC: Vanstone rejects call for nationally-elected Aboriginal body - 9 Mar 05
Media Release: ANTaR Victoria condemns ATSIC execution - 24 Mar 05
Parliamentary Library - The end of ATSIC and the future administration of Indigenous affairs. Current Issues Brief No 4 2004-05.
Online journal - The Abolition of ATSIC: Silencing Indigenous Voices? - Themed edition of Dialogue, Vol 23 2/2004.