Fact Sheet

INDIGENOUS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Closing the Gap

Reducing Indigenous disadvantage is a shared responsibility, requiring intense and collaborative effort across all governments, Indigenous people, the private sector, non-government organisations and the wider community. Closing the Gap is a commitment by all Australian Governments to improve the lives of Indigenous people.

Indigenous Advisory Committee

The Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) is an expert group who advises the Minister and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities about program, policy and consultation strategies to ensure better access and engagement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Role

The IAC advises on Indigenous land and sea management, including the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

In particular the IAC:

  • advises the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on:

the operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act), and issues relating to matters of National Environmental Significance covered by the EPBC Act. These include World Heritage properties, National Heritage listed places, Ramsar wetlands, nationally threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, Commonwealth marine areas, and nuclear actions, including uranium mining;

Indigenous Protected Areas;

  • advises the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on Indigenous issues as they relate to the role of the Department, except where an existing statutory committee exists to provide such advice.

Members

The IAC consists of twelve Indigenous Australians, appointed by the Minister.

Members have extensive experience in fields such as protected area management, Indigenous land management, cultural heritage management, education and Indigenous affairs. They do not represent particular regions or organisations.

Committee members:

  • Ms Melissa George (Chair)
  • Ms Chrissy Grant (Deputy Chair and Chair of the IPA Sub-committee)
  • Mr Jason Field
  • Mr Dave Johnston
  • Mr Frank Loban
  • Ms Francine McCarthy
  • Mr Joe Morrison
  • Mr Kado Muir
  • Mr Daniel Oades
  • Mr Klynton Wanganeen
  • Mr Bruce Martin

Strategic Approach

The IAC have a strategic plan (IAC Strategic Plan 2011–2014) that sets out the Committee’s vision, values and approaches and key outcomes.

The IAC priorities for 2013 are:

1. Environment and heritage legislation, policy and program implementation and reform.

2. All program investments.

3. Sea country planning and management.

4. Biodiversity and species conservation and management.

5. Building internal capacity and leadership.

Outcomes

The IAC has successfully contributed to:

  • The launch of the International Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Land and Sea Managers Network Conference at the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012;
  • Developing protocols with the Threatened Species Scientific Committee to guide engagement between the two committees. The protocols ensure that Indigenous interests and perspectives are incorporated into the research, listing and recovery planning processes for threatened species and ecological communities;
  • Policy advice to the Australian Government regarding the turtle and dugong Indigenous management package in Queensland; and
  • Supporting successful National Indigenous Land and Sea Managers Conferences.

The IAC meet at least twice a year. Meetings are rotated around states and regions, with at least one meeting in Canberra and one meeting on country. Regular teleconference meetings are also held.

Contact details for the IAC are:

Email:

Phone:(02) 6275 9212

Website:

1