The First Peoples’ Assembly are meeting from 18-19 June 2020 via Zoom due to social distancing restrictions put in place in response to COVID-19.
Meeting for the third time, the first half of the meeting on Thursday was live streamed via Facebook which saw Assembly members discuss a range of items including Member-led business items including:
- Admitting additional Traditional Owner groups as Reserved Members
- Truth Commission and Transitional Justice
- Other matters: Experience with community engagement; Discussion of matters raised by Barengi Gadjin Land Council
Admitting additional Traditional Owner groups as Reserved Members
Alistair Thorpe presented on the member-led business discussion on admitting additional Traditional Owner groups as Reserved Members. He highlighted that not all Nations are represented in the Assembly, with currently 11 formally recognised groups and only 10 representing in Assembly seats.
The member led-business outcome saw 84% of the Assembly Chamber vote in favour of a resolution to promptly develop additional criteria to enable more Traditional Owner groups to appoint Reserved Members to the Assembly.
Truth Commission and Transitional Justice
Jason Kelly presented on the member-led business discussion on Truth Commission and Transitional Justice.
The member-led business outcome saw 81% of the Assembly Chamber vote in favour of a resolution to write to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs seeking resources to begin work towards an independent truth and justice inquiry to formally recognise historic wrongs, and past and ongoing injustices.
Other business
Jordan Edwards mentioned he will be donating funds from his stipend received as an Assembly member back into the community.
Discussion of matters raised by Barengi Gadjin Land Council was presented by Dylan Clarke.
