Aboriginal Regional Authorities

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Can the minister tell the chamber of the status of Aboriginal Regional Authorities?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in Aboriginal affairs. I am pleased to say that we have taken recently the next step in our Aboriginal Regional Authority's policy. The state government always has been working to develop programs and policies that enable Aboriginal people to have a greater say in the issues and decisions that affect them, particularly when it comes to using their resources for economic development.

I have spoken to the chamber previously about the Aboriginal Regional Authority's policy that displays its commitment to work more collaboratively with Aboriginal communities and to strengthen the relationship between the government and Aboriginal South Australians. This policy wasn't just a first for South Australia but a national first. Aboriginal Regional Authorities will represent and advocate for their communities. They will have the ability to drive regional priorities and economic growth while working in partnership with the government. In the last few weeks I had the great pleasure to announce the first three formal Aboriginal Regional Authorities in line with this policy. The first of the three is the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation.

The Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation is a representative organisation of Far West Coast Aboriginal people, representing some 1,500 members. It represents the Wirangu, Mirning, Kokatha, Maralinga Tjarutja and Yalata people, as well as the descendants of Edward Roberts. It is an independent and self-sustaining Aboriginal corporation working to advance the cultural, social, political, economic and legal interests of Far West Coast Aboriginal people. It has also had successful business interests, including through mining operations on country, the ownership of local businesses in Ceduna and landholdings.

The second of the Aboriginal Regional Authorities is the Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association. The Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association (ATLA) is a representative organisation of the Adnyamathanha people who hold native title over the Flinders Ranges area and surrounding areas. It is made up of 20 different groups, representing some 2,500 members. The Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association is a self-sustaining organisation that has been working for Adnyamathanha people for almost 20 years. The scope of the organisation is very broad. It includes a particular focus on economic participation, caring for country and land management, and strengthening language and culture.

The third Aboriginal Regional Authority will be the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, the representative organisation of the Ngarrindjeri Nation of the Lower River Murray, Lakes and Coorong region. The Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority already has a strong relationship with government through the KNYA, which roughly translates to 'listen to what Ngarrindjeri people have to say'. In 2009, the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority partnered with the state government to deliver critical water and land management programs along the Lower River Murray and the Coorong, and in 2015 was awarded the national Riverprize for its Caring for Country model.

These new Aboriginal Regional Authorities will participate in Aboriginal Nations Rebuilding curriculum, delivered by Flinders University. This training will support Aboriginal leaders to build robust governing bodies with strong economic potential. These three Aboriginal Regional Authorities signify the strengthening of relationships between government and Aboriginal South Australians, and I look forward to updating the council on the operation of these authorities.