Answers to Questions

Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division

245 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (27 September 2016). In reference to 2016-17 Budget Paper 5, page 83—where will the Aboriginal Regional Authorities be located, how often will they meet and what monitoring will be undertaken by the Department of State Development to ensure regional priorities are delivered?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy): The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation has received the following advice:

On 4 July 2016 the government announced the recognition of the following Aboriginal Regional Authorities (ARAs) under the South Australian ARA Policy:

The Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association, which represents the Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges and the surrounding areas.

The Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation, which is located in Ceduna and represents the Far West Coast Aboriginal People, made up of the Wirangu, Mirning, Kokatha, Maralinga Tjarutja, and Yalata Peoples, as well as the descendants of Mr Edward Roberts.

The Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, which is located in Murray Bridge and represents the Ngarrindjeri People of the Lower River Murray, Lakes and Coorong region.

Over the past nine months, the Department of State Development has worked with the ARAs and government agencies to agree a set of regional priorities in which to work together. These were formalised in Recognition Agreements signed between the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation and each ARA on country during March and April 2017.

The Recognition Agreements establish a leader to leader relationship between relevant ministers and ARA leaders, and a regular forum for discussing activity relevant to the agreed priority areas. This forum will take place at least once per year or more frequently as required.

Activity in the agreed priority areas will be progressed at the agency level. With the last of the three Recognition Agreements signed on 18 April 2017, the Department of State Development will now support implementation of the agreements across government.