Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council
Members
News
What's new
The WAAAC has released its Strategic Plan 2010-2012. For a hard copy please contact the WAAAC Secretariat.
Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council
Meet the members.
Overview
Formation of the WAAAC represents a unique opportunity to build genuine, respectful and reciprocal relationships between Indigenous people and the Western Australian Government to achieve better life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children.
Central to achieving this purpose is working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Western Australia. This partnership will be based on mutual respect and underpinned by the knowledge that:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the first peoples of this nation;
- the connection to the land and sea is fundamental to the spiritual, physical, social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders;
- recognition of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, heritage and history is essential to achieve positive outcomes;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander models of leadership are complex, based on cultural frameworks and holistic approaches. They draw on the wisdom and experience of older people and integrate the spiritual and cultural with the political;
- the individual aspirations and unique circumstances of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander communities within the state may differ from region to region;
- contribution from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is essential to the design and development of government policy; and
- there is a need to develop a shared understanding of the issues to be addressed.
In turn the State Government will be better placed to address Indigenous disadvantage by acting on the advice and direction of the WAAAC and working collaboratively to achieve multiple benefit outcomes.
Legislation
Section 18 (1) of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972 states that there “shall be established a council, to be known as the Aboriginal Advisory Council, for the purposes of advising the Authority on matters relating to the interests and well-being of persons of Aboriginal descent”. The Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972 also outlines that such a council shall consist of Aboriginal people.
Terms of reference
During May and June 2008, the Department of Indigenous Affairs conducted consultations in 26 locations across the State with 200 key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including a meeting with the Chairs and/or representatives of existing Indigenous advisory bodies. Outcomes of the consultations have been collated and have influenced the development of the following general terms of reference for the WAAAC.
The WAAAC will provide leadership, advice and direction to the Minister Indigenous Affairs through the Department of Indigenous Affairs on:
- Indigenous aspirations on priority issues and interests;
- The necessary performance/outcome targets required to realise these aspirations; and
- The needs of the Western Australian Indigenous community and the provision of feedback to stakeholder groups.
The terms of reference of the WAAAC are derived in accordance with Section 18 of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972 .
Meetings
WAAAC meeting dates and venues scheduled for 2012 are:
- 8 and 9 February 2012 – Geraldton location
- 5 April 2012 – Perth location
- 6 and 7 June 2012 – regional location
- 2 August 2012 – Perth location
- 4 October 2012 – regional location
Secretariat support
The contact point for all Members to DIA staff is through the Executive Officer of the WAAAC.
The Policy and Reform Directorate will provide secretariat support to the WAAAC, the contact details of the Secretariat support team are:
Executive Officer, telephone (08) 9235 8000 waaac@dia.wa.gov.au
Senior Policy Officer, telephone (08) 9235 8000 waaac@dia.wa.gov.au