Indigenous Implementation Board

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Indigenous Implementation Board News 

THE INDIGENOUS IMPLEMENTATION BOARD COMPLETES ITS WORK

The Indigenous Implementation Board was established in February 2009 by Government to advise it on how to address the underlying causes of Indigenous disadvantage.  It held its final meeting on 9 February 2011 and presented its third and final report to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs the next day. 

The report continues the main themes of the earlier reports and recommends that Government commit to regional governance where all stakeholders shape strategy for social and economic development for the region and where Aboriginal representation is a central element of this process.  A key premise of the Board is that Aboriginal people and their culture are critical to the future of our State and their expertise must become a central feature of strategic planning processes and in the design of service delivery systems.  A new relationship is proposed with Aboriginal people that is based on revitalisation and respect for their culture and includes them as partners in development. 

Following the release of the Board’s second report the previous Minister for Indigenous Affairs asked that the Department of Indigenous Affairs work with the Board and other stakeholders to develop potential models for regional governance that could operate in the Kimberley and Pilbara.  The Board’s final report summarises the outcomes of this work from its perspective and considers the readiness of each region for regional governance.  The Board also comments on how its proposals for regional governance would fit with the recommendations of the review of regional development commissions.  Following the comment from Aboriginal people within the regions the Board supports processes whereby Aboriginal people within the regions develop culturally legitimate bodies that can speak on behalf of all groups on issues that affect regional development and culture.  

The report also makes recommendations for work in areas that are needed to support the successful development of regional governance.  These are the promotion of Aboriginal culture; healing; the development of leadership and governance capacity in Aboriginal communities; and strategy to promote economic participation. 

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs is currently considering the Board’s report and plans to take it to Cabinet.  It is anticipated that the public release of the report will occur after this.  When this happens the report will be available on the Department of Indigenous Affairs website.  Copies of the Board’s earlier reports are already available there along with copies of the outcomes of regional conversations held with Aboriginal people across the State during the Board’s two years of operation.