The Wire

With the abolition of ATSIC a certainty, Indigenous Australians must now ensure their political voice is not simultaneously silenced. Discussions began on Monday night in the Northern Territory, to ensure that doesn’t happen and already there’s talk of a new Indigenous political party…but not everyone agrees that’s the best solution. The first of the forums was held in Darwin and attracted around thirty people from various Indigenous groups. Yilli Rreung Regional Council Chairman Kimberly Hunter says those who attended voiced the concerns of the wider Indigenous community about the future of their political representation. Indigenous solicitor and former ALP Senate Candidate for the NT Wayne Connop says Aboriginal people do need to have a public voice, but he believes an Indigenous political party is not the best way to achieve it.