POLICY & ADVOCACY
Congress is here to give our mob a say on issues that are important to us and to be a national voice for all First Nations peoples.
The expertise and passion of our Delegates and Members, backed by the authority and leadership of the elected National Board, gives us the power to represent the views of First Peoples to government, advocate for change, and uphold the rights of our peoples.
Click here to read our Statement of Principles which guides our policy and advocacy.
These principles emphasise self-determination and empowerment, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and courageous leadership.
They commit Congress to meaningful engagement with members and Delegates, innovation, high standards of research and sustainable solutions. They ask that we honour the culture, diversity and unity of our peoples.
POLICY NEWS
Congress has been busy putting into action the priority issues set by Members: health, education, justice, country and sovereignty (including Constitutional recognition).
• Northern Territory Intervention – read the latest Congress statement and media release
• Constitutional Recognition – read the Congress submission and Expert Panel statement
• National Health Leadership Forum – established. Read the media statement
• Native Title Reform – read the Congress submission
• National Cultural Policy – read the Congress statement
• Inquiry into Indigenous Language Learning – read the Congress statement here.
• 1st National Congress held in June – read the report published in July
NT INTERVENTION/STRONGER FUTURES SUBMISSIONS
February 2012: Congress says the bills to continue the Intervention in the Northern Territory must be withdrawn and reintroduced so they will be subject to the same human rights scrutiny as other bills. Read the Congress submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs on the proposed Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill (2011) and accompanying Bills here.
October 2011: This is Congress’s statement in relation to the Government’s review of the Northern Territory Intervention through its discussion paper, “Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory”.
The statement concludes that the initial imposition of the NTER was flawed and encourages the Government to reset the relationship, restore trust and modify legislation, programs and services in response to community views in the NT. Read the full statement here.
CONGRESS STATEMENT ON CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION
This paper was Congress’s input to the deliberations of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
To read the final Constitutional reform report from the Expert Panel click here; the Plain English version of the recommendations is here.
To read more about Constitutional change, sovereignty and treaty, click here.
LANGUAGE LEARNING IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES INQUIRY
In our submission to the Inquiry into Language Learning in Indigenous Communities, Congress supports the need for urgent action in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language learning, maintenance and revival in order to slow the rapid loss of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Read the full submission here.
NATIVE TITLE REFORM
Congress provided advice to the Senate inquiry into proposed reforms of the Native Title Act. While Congress and most other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations supported the reforms, many of which were recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission, the inquiry recommended that the reform bill not be supported by the Senate.
Read the Congress advice here, information about the problems addressed by the reforms here and the Senate inquiry report here.
CONGRESS REPORT ON THE NATIONAL TAX REFORM FORUM
Congress Director, Rod Little, joined 180 representatives from community, business, unions and governments at the Tax Reform Forum in October.
Read his report here
NATIONAL CONGRESS 2011 REPORT
We are pleased to present the National Congress Report from our inaugural Delegates’ meeting in June.
This 100-page document is the start of a national conversation between Congress Members, communities, organisations and Governments on our future directions.
To download Part 1 of the report Click Here
To download Part 2 of the report Click Here