TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2004

Labor must ensure accountability in changes to ATSIC

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) today urged Federal Labor Leader, Mark Latham, to ensure the strongest possible consultation and government accountability to Indigenous peoples in approaching proposed changes to ATSIC.

“The need for reform of ATSIC has been widely acknowledged, however, the process for achieving such reform, and particularly the need for changes to occur through proper consultation and negotiation with Indigenous stakeholders, are critical concerns, ANTaR’s National President, Phil Glendenning said.

“That consultation has been limited to this point and that Labor has pre-empted the ATSIC review process is regrettable, Mr Glendenning said.

“Labor must ensure that it does not repeat the mistake of imposing change on Indigenous people.

“It is heartening to see that Labor intends to consult and negotiate widely on the further detail of the proposed changes. Labor must commit to ensuring that Indigenous people are at the centre of this process.

“ANTaR is also concerned that Labor’s proposed national elected Indigenous body will be sidelined - as the current elected body is - unless given powers to ensure the accountability of governments and government departments in the delivery of services to Indigenous communities.

“Specific measures, such as an Indigenous ‘estimates’ process are needed to ensure that governments live up to their responsibilities.

“It also needs to be acknowledged that much of the problem in failing to make an impact on Indigenous disadvantage lies in chronic under-funding by governments, particularly in the areas of health, housing, education and employment.

“Progress in these critical areas requires a commitment to funding on the basis of need, including ensuring that Indigenous communities and organisations have the resources and capacity to achieve proper self-governance and service delivery capability”, Mr Glendenning concluded.

Media contact: Phil Glendenning 0419 013758; David Cooper 0418 486310