COMMISSIONER FOR ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Will the minister inform the house what recent appointment has been made to ensure Aboriginal South Australians have an independent voice to advocate on their behalf?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for her very important question. I'm pleased to inform members that the government has reappointed Ms Khatija Thomas as the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement for a term of three years. The three-year term of appointment is an unambiguous demonstration that the government is committed to having respectful dialogue with our first peoples so that together Aboriginal and non-Indigenous South Australians can work more effectively to address problems and to take up opportunities that deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal people and, indeed, all South Australians.

The role of the commissioner is important in providing a strong and independent voice in advocating on behalf of all Aboriginal South Australians. To my way of thinking, the commissioner has a powerful role to play in advancing the cause of reconciliation. In particular, the commissioner's role includes publicly advocating for effective engagement between the broader South Australian community and Aboriginal people and investigating and providing advice about systemic barriers for Aboriginal people's access to and full participation in government, non-government and other services. I thank Ms Thomas for being prepared to accept this challenging responsibility and believe that she is well suited to the position given her close connections with Aboriginal people across the length and breadth of our state, her legal qualifications and sound understanding of government and other processes.

It would be remiss of me not to also mention that last week the Premier and I were honoured to hand to Mr Tom Trevorrow, Chair of the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, the instrument by which my powers as minister under section 23 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act have been delegated in relation to the removal of the Goolwa regulators. This is a historic event, it being the first occasion an Aboriginal organisation has been given the statutory power, under delegation, to consider and make decisions on an application that has an impact on Aboriginal heritage. While it was a history-making event, it points the way to respectful negotiations between project proponents and Aboriginal communities being the desired approach in managing these issues in the future.

The Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority has established itself as a strong and accountable leadership group for the Ngarrindjeri people and has clearly demonstrated the capacity to undertake this process. I thank Mr Trevorrow and the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority for committing to this process.