VALUE FROM NECESSITY A Review of Policy Directions in Local Government for Indigenous Communities

A Useful Vehicle? designed for the purpose as powerful as it can be better than other models

A ‘good buy’ for Indigenous People? accessible can be purpose designed a well known product can be held accountable by –community –government

Why isn’t it doing the job required? Gap between expectations and reality community expectations of councils –history –funds channel –favoured few agency expectations –not consistent - local governments or ‘community administration’ –communication

Common Responses Cross cultural training for government staff? Training for council members? General education? Language training for government officers? Use interpreters? Talk to the staff?

What needs to change? Negotiation based on shared knowledge Establish a body that is considered to be legitimate by both residents and government for the job that it is expected to do

Size? RADA and Building Stronger Regions Economies of scale Critical mass of expertise Larger pool of leaders Cost of the current system

Value of Change for Indigenous people Representation Recognition of elements of customary law Enforcement of decisions in an area More effective and efficient serviced delivery Power Capacity to work in partnership with other governments.

Barriers? Political support for change Just Do It! Communication and effective engagement

Lessons Effective engagement and communication Proper and complete information Cultural match Negotiation at a proper level Implementation Plan and Transition Effective governance

Risks Larger, more powerful organisations that don’t deliver Loss of credibility with another wrong direction Loss of power by some

Conclusion The basic design is right but the vehicle needs work Future work must be in partnership