The purpose of the First Nations Advisory Council (FNAC) is to provide advice to the NDIA to guide initiatives that will improve outcomes for First Nations people with disability.
The following members and NDIA representatives were in attendance:
Chair
- Dr Janine Mohamed, Deputy CEO, First Nations Group, NDIA
FNAC Members
- Tess Moodie, Independent Consultant, Lived Experience Representative / Advocate
- Joanna Agius OAM, Deaf Aboriginal Services, Lived Experience Representative / Advocate
- Suzy Trindall, Lived Experience Representative / Advocate
- Kim McRae, NPY Women’s Council
- Thea Dunkley, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
- Victor Djungadi Patrick, Lived Experience Representative / Advocate
- Donna Murray, CEO, Indigenous Allied Health of Australia
- Jennifer Cullen, Equity and Inclusion Reference Group Co-chair, Independent Advisory Council (IAC)
- Gretchen Young, Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
- Matthew Bowden on behalf of Justen Thomas, Lived Experience Representative / Advocate
NDIA representatives
- Tanya Malthouse, Branch Manager, First Nations Policy, Research and Reform Branch, NDIA
- Susan Moore, Branch Manager, First Nations Strategy Branch, NDIA
- Anna Leditschke, Executive Officer, First Nations Group, NDIA
- Yvette Smith, Assistant Director, First Nations Group, NDIA
- Tomas Henry, Project Officer, First Nations Group, NDIA
- Liam Horne, Executive Assistant, First Nations Group, NDIA
Apologies
- Damian Griffis, CEO, First Peoples Disability Network
- Dr Scott Avery, Senior Lecturer, Western Sydney University
- Gi Brown, Lived Experience Representative / Advocate
- Sereako Treloggen – member
- Munatji McKenzie, Disability Royal Commission Project Officer, NPY Women’s Council.
Meeting summary
he meeting was held virtually. The Chair acknowledged the Traditional Owners of the lands from which members were dialling in. Members noted attendances and apologies to the meeting. Members also reviewed the record of the 23 May 2024 meeting and progress against the FNAC actions register.
Meeting purpose
The meeting provided an opportunity for FNAC Members to review FNAC progress and discuss innovative approaches to elevate and strengthen the governance of First Nations advisory and co-design functions within the Agency.
Future of First Nations governance
The FNAC moved to establish an Independent Advisory Council (IAC) First Nations Reference Group that is elevated in the Agency’s governance architecture and provides advice to the Board. Its priority will be to co-design the First Nations Strategy with the Agency and advise on Scheme reform and policy issues as they affect First Nations people with disability.
The FNAC agreed that the functions of the FNAC will be assumed by the new IAC First Nations Reference Group. The Reference Group will comprise First Nations people with disability and be co-chaired by First Nations people with disability. First Nations people with disability from the FNAC will be able to apply for membership of the new IAC First Nations Reference Group.
The proposal for the IAC First Nations Reference Group is based on First Nations disability sovereignty and aligns with the Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review recommendations, as well as Closing the Gap priority reforms. It offers an elevated and strengthened First Nations voice within the Agency.
Independent review
The First Nations Group team committed to commission an independent review of the First Nations representation across the Agency’s advisory and co-design bodies to assess and make recommendations on coverage, impact and cultural safety.
As part of the review the establishment of First Nations sub-committees will be considered to provide advice on specialist and intersecting First Nations disability issues such as children and justice.
Closing and next steps
The FNAC agreed that this meeting is its last official meeting.
The First Nations Group team committed to advise FNAC Members in due course on the expressions of interest process for membership of the new IAC First Nations Reference Group.
An evaluation survey will also be made available to FNAC Members to leverage lessons learnt.
For any feedback or questions about the First Nations Advisory Council, please email [email protected].