Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie encourages Indigenous Australians from across rural and regional Victoria to have their say on the development of an Indigenous voice to government.
Senator McKenzie said the co-design process would be an opportunity for locals to put their views forward on how a voice could better empower individuals and communities to have their say in the decision making affecting them.
“There are nearly 50,000 Indigenous Australians in Victoria from Wodonga to Warrnambool,” Senator McKenzie said.
“It’s time that all governments took better steps to empower individuals and communities, and work in partnership to develop practical and long lasting programs and policies that both address the needs of Indigenous Australians and ensure that Indigenous voices are heard as equally as any other Australian voice.”
Senator McKenzie encouraged people to visit www.niaa.gov.au to find out how they can be involved.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, announced the co-design process that will develop models to enhance local and regional decision-making and provide a voice for Indigenous Australians to government.
To lead the process, he will establish a Senior Advisory Group to co-design options for a model that will ensure that Indigenous Australians are heard at all levels of government – local, state and federal. They will be tasked with forming a National Co-Design Group, and a Local/Regional Co-Design Group, and oversee the process.
“I am committed to being the Minister for all Indigenous Australians, and want to make sure that all of these voices can be heard loud and clear,” Minister Wyatt said.
“We need to get it right. Models will be workshopped with communities across urban, regional and remote Australia.”
The Liberal and National Government has committed $7.3 million for the co-design process.
For more information visit www.niaa.gov.au.