Prime Minister's Indigenous Advisory Council

The Prime Minister's Indigenous Advisory Council (the 'Council') will provide advice to the Government on Indigenous affairs, and will focus on practical changes to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. - The Council will provide ongoing advice to the Government on emerging policy and implementation issues related to Indigenous affairs including, but not limited to: - improving school attendance and educational attainment; - creating lasting employment opportunities in the real economy; - reviewing land ownership and other drivers of economic development; - preserving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; - building reconciliation and creating a new partnership between black and white Australians; - empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; - building the capacity of communities, service providers and governments; - promoting better evaluation to inform government decision-making; - supporting greater shared responsibility and reducing dependence on government within indigenous communities; and - achieving constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. - The Council will engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including existing Indigenous advocacy bodies, to ensure that the Government has access to a diversity of views. The Council will also engage with other individuals and organisations, as relevant to the Government's agenda. - The Government may request the Council to provide advice on specific policy and programme effectiveness, to help ensure that Indigenous programmes achieve real, positive change in the lives of Aboriginal people. - The Council will report annually to the Government on its activities, via letter to the Prime Minister. The Council will have up to 12 members, including a Chair and Deputy Chair. Members will be both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Members will have a strong understanding of Indigenous culture and bring a diversity of expertise in economic development and business acumen, employment, education, youth participation, service delivery and health. The membership will include representation from both the private, public and civil society sectors and be drawn from across Australia, with at least one representative from a remote area. The Council will meet three times annually with the Prime Minister and relevant senior ministers. The Council will report annually to the Government on its activities, via letter to the Prime Minister. Secretariat support will be provided by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.