The Australian Democrats have call on the Federal Government to appoint a full-time Minister for Indigenous Affairs, following changes announced to ATSIC today.
"By the creating the new Executive Agency the Government has now effectively resumed full responsibility for the lives of Indigenous Australians and they must respond to the seriousness of this task by appointing a Minister who can focus fully on the job at hand," said Indigenous Affairs spokesperson, Senator Aden Ridgeway.
"The changes are a retrograde step which takes Indigenous Affairs back to a model similar to the old National Aboriginal Conference (NAC) model from the 1970's which leaves the Board of Commissioners as a policy and advocacy body.
"It not only disenfranchises the Board but also potentially removes Indigenous communities - through their organizations – from dealing with service delivery in their communities.
"The Democrats will not respond immediately to threats by the Government not to disallow these changes. We will be discussing these issues with the elected arm of ATSIC and take our advice from there.
"However, we repeat our call for the Federal Government to immediately establish national benchmarks and codify them in appropriate legislation.
"We will also be seeking the formulation of a COAG agreement on overcoming Indigenous disadvantage through the effective and cost efficient delivery of services," said Senator Ridgeway.
The Democrats also expressed disappointment that the Minister has pre-empted findings from his own review of ATSIC and have called on the Government to be open to the results of that review.
