National Congress of Australia’s #FirstPeoples elect the first co-chairs #Aboriginal #Indigenous

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New Era Ahead For 

Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People

Appointment of Jody Broun and Les Malezer as the first elected Co-Chairs of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples heralds the start of a new era for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda said today.

Commissioner Gooda congratulated Ms Broun and Mr Malezer on their election.

“I congratulate Les and Jody on what is both an honour and an enormous responsibility,” Commissioner Gooda said.

“Having the first elected Co-Chairs of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a voice at a critical time in the nation’s history. “I have worked with both Les and Jody over the years and know them to be strong and determined advocates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said.

Commissioner Gooda said election of the Co-Chairs signified the importance of self-determination and self-governance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and was consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples the means to be heard on issues that affect us from policy and program developments that impact on our standards of living, through to big picture issues so critical for our futures,” Commissioner Gooda said.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples and with Jody and Les as Co-Chairs on these issues.

“In particular, I will be looking to work with them closely on advancing support for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

via Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources