Governments and Authorities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC)
ATSIC is the elected arm of Indigenous representatives, consisting of 35 Regional Councils around Australia and a national Board of Commissioners; and an administration arm. Please note that ATSIC’s operations are now considerably diminished as a result of John Howard’s Government’s intention to abolish the Commission. Although, it is understood that the Government intends to support the continued operation of Regional Councils until 30 June 2005 and will advise communities on it’s new arrangements for providing Indigenous representation at the local and regional level.

Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA)
DAA is part of the NSW Government. It's role is to work with Aboriginal people, government agencies, and the private and community sectors to promote the interests of Aboriginal people in NSW and reduce the inequity they continue to experience as a result of colonisation.

Social Policy Division, Prime Minister and Cabinet
The Indigenous Policy branch works closely with the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination within the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, on the implementation of the new arrangements for indigenous affairs. The branch provides the Secretariat for the Secretaries' Group on Indigenous Affairs which is chaired by the Secretary of PM&C and on which the Secretaries of the following departments sit: Immigration Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs , Family and Community Services , Health , Transport and Regional Services , Education Science and Training , Employment and Workplace Relations , Environment and Heritage , Communications Information Technology and the Arts and Attorney-General's .