Key Commonwealth
Indigenous Representation
The Commonwealth Government has had multiple iterations of an independent representative government body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with the latest being the National Congress of Australia’s First People. The National Congress experienced funding withdrawals from 2013 and ultimately went into voluntary administration in 2019. At the time it had 10,000 members.
As it stands, the Coalition of the Peaks is the largest indigenous representative body at the national level. Their founding purpose was to be formal partners of government on Closing the Gap. The Closing the Gap initiative is a large-scale cross-government project that has the endorsement of all State and Territory Governments and Local Governments.
Coalition of the Peaks
About
Coalition of the Peaks is a coalition of over 80 community-controlled, peak organisations formed as an act of self-determination to be formal partners of governments on Closing the Gap.Members include all national peak bodies, as well as state-based organisations.
Projects
Coalition of the Peaks predominantly works towards the outcomes of the Closing the Gap Agreement.
Relevance to Tourism
The industry should have an understanding of the Closing the Gap priority reforms. Coalition of the Peaks also brings together the network of organisations that operators could be working with to contribute to this cause if they wish to.
Government Organisations
There are multiple government funded and statutory organisations set up to support and ensure protection of First Nations people, Culture, and rights. The most critical to tourism operators are:
- National Native Title Tribunal
- Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation
- Closing the Gap
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National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT)
About
This government agency is responsible for overseeing Native Title claims and arbitration between parties over applications for land use or ownership. Its authority is supported by the Federal Court of Australia. The Tribunal provides maps on a national, state, territory and regional level that reflect who Traditional Owners are.
Projects
NNTT releases mapping of Native Title claims to support identification of Traditional Owners. They also publish information about the implications for businesses and guides for disputes and decision making.
Relevance to Tourism
Tourism operators should have a relationship with the Traditional Owners of where they operate, as tourism experiences can be enriched with more intimate connection to the Traditional Owners of Country.
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Indigenous Land and Sea Corporations (ILSC)
About
The ILSC is an independent, Commonwealth statutory authority that was established to assist Indigenous people to acquire and manage land for cultural, social and economic environmental benefits. Within tourism, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ILSC and operates the ILSC’s tourism portfolio: Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge Centre.
Projects
ILSC is currently supporting the provision of grants to indigenous businesses affected by floods, the return of a farming property to the local Aboriginal community in NSW, the launch of a commercial fishing joint venture in SA and the development of an Aboriginal elders living facility in SA. In tourism, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia works in partnership with the National Indigenous Training Academy. In June 2023, ILSC launched their National Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (NILSS) 2023-28, after undertaking its largest consultation ever. The strategy redefines the ILSC’s connection with the community and their partners to improve their access, use and management of Country.[i] This will include divesting their operating businesses and landholdings to return power and control to Indigenous communities.
Relevance to Tourism
The ILSC provides support to a wide variety of Traditional Land Owners across Australia with a distinct relationship with many tourism operations. Their close relationships to Traditional Owners and focus on development makes their work a close companion to the development of Indigenous tourism and a potential delivery apparatus for tourism policy objectives.
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Closing the Gap
About
Closing the Gap is a formal partnership between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, dedicated to reducing the disparity in outcomes and opportunities for First Nations people across Australia.
This formal partnership included the Commonwealth Government, State and Territory Governments, the coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations and the Australian Local Government Association.
The partnership recognises that shared decision making on the design, implementation, and evaluation of the national agreement on Closing the Gap is essential.
At the federal government level, the National Indigenous Australians Agency is responsible for leading and coordinating Commonwealth policy development, program design and implementation and service delivery relating to Closing the Gap targets.
Projects
The Joint Council on Closing the Gap was established in 2018 by the Federal Government. In July 2020 the joint council settled on the national agreement and presented it to partners, who all signed on.
Relevance to Tourism
Tourism operators should gain awareness of the specific injustices and opportunities for progress as part of reconciliation efforts to help advance improved relationships with First Nations peoples, ultimately leading to partnerships in Indigenous tourism offerings.
| Read More | Closing the Gap annual report 2022 |
Other national organisations representing First Nations people nationally include:
- National Indigenous Australians Agency
- Reconciliation Australia
- Officer of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations
- The Lowitja Institute
- NAIDOC: National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)