ACTCOSS 2020 ACT Election issue brief: Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander Self-Determination
ACTCOSS calls on the next ACT Government to consult with the Ngunnawal people and all Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT on policies to ensure a just and fair Canberra, including:
- Mandatory Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander and Ngunnawal cultural awareness training for all Members of the Legislative Assembly
- Investment in celebrating and protecting Ngunnawal land and culture
- A United Ngunnawal Elders Council (UNEC) partnership agreement, which outlines shared policy goals and commits to genuine, regular consultation between Ministers and the UNEC
- The development of a comprehensive Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander policy statement
- Support and investment in Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to deliver fully funded community services
- Investment in supporting Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander children, youth and families with measurable outcomes
- Expansion of the ACT Human Rights Commission to include an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner
- Support for the design and commencement of an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander Child Care Agency
- The implementation of all 28 recommendations from Our Booris, Our Way Steering Committee to improve the systemic failures for Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander children involved with child protection in the ACT
- Developing an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander Housing Strategy for the ACT including a pathway to a community-controlled Aboriginal housing organisation
- Investing in the design and construction of a community-controlled Aboriginal residential alcohol and other drugs (AOD) rehabilitation facility
- Additional investment in autonomous, holistic health and wellbeing services at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC)
- Investigation of an expansion of the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm to have cottages that can accommodate families
- Funding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) positions at a full-time rate.
Read the full issue brief below for more details, or read other issue briefs on our ACT Election page.