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Editors --- "News and Reviews" [2004] IndigLawB 77; (2004) 6(7) Indigenous Law Bulletin 23

NEWS & REVIEWS

In early November, the Federal Government appointed its National Indigenous Council (‘NIC’), the advisory council created in the wake of the abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (‘ATSIC’). The NIC will comprise:

• Sue Gordon, Magistrate (NIC Chair)
• Adam Goodes, AFL footballer
• Warren Mundine, Australian Labor Party National Vice President
• Miriam Rose Baumann, Principal of St Francis Xavier Catholic School
• Sally Goold, Executive Director of Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses
• Michael White, Chair of Central Queensland ATSIC Regional Council
• Tammy Williams, Barrister
• Archie Barton, founding member, Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
• Mary Ann Bin-Sallik, Dean of Indigenous Research and Education at Charles Darwin University
• Joseph Elu, Chair of Indigenous Business Australia
• Robert Lee, Chief Executive of Jawoyn Association
• John Moriarty, co-owner of Jumbana Group
• Joe Proctor, Indigenous Capital Ltd
• Wesley Aird, Business Manager, Eastern Yugambeh native title group.

While some have criticised the uneven distribution of state and territory representation, the Government has said that members were selected for their expertise and will be asked to present their individual views. The NIC will meet four times per year and it is anticipated that the first meeting will be held in December 2004. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma stated that members of the NIC had indicated their commitment to Indigenous affairs and added that the challenge will be ‘to see how the Ministerial Taskforce acts on their advice.’