Fri, 04/07/2008

The seven members of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body have been announced following an election conducted by the ACT Electoral Commission.

Mary Porter joined with Indigenous television personality Ernie Dingo at the declaration of candidates in a ceremony in the Legislative Assembly on June 11 and encouraged all eligible Aboriginal and Torres Start Islanders living in Canberra to participate in the process.

Thirteen candidates stood and the successful candidates in their order of election are, Rod Little, Dianne Collins, Paul House, Fred Monaghan, Terry Williams, Lynette Goodwin and Roslyn Brown.

"The Elected Body is being established to ensure that local Indigenous people are better served by the ACT Government policies, programs and services.

"It will provide direct advice to the ACT Government aimed at improving the lives of Indigenous Canberrans.

"Indigenous people have been without a voice since the Howard Government abolished ATSIC. In the ACT they will again have an expressed voice through a democratically elected body."

Mary Porter also attended the declaration of the poll on July 2 and congratulated members on their election.

"Having the privilege of being elected by your peers is a great honour," Ms Porter said, "and I wish the members well as they represent the best interests of Indigenous people living in the ACT."