The Beagle editor,
I appreciate that you are more focussed on local issues however the presentation by Bunja Smith to the Eurobodalla Council this week during Public Access specifically asking council and councillors to show support of the Yes Vote by erecting posters around the shire. As such this appeal has brought the referendum to Eurobodalla.
Admittedly the proposed “Voice” encompasses a wide range of issues potentially affecting us all and at all levels of government. From local to federal.
I invite your consideration of the “National Indigenous Australians Agency” (NDAA).
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) state their vision is "to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are heard, recognised and empowered".
"We recognise each First Nations community is unique. We work in partnership with community to make sure policies, programs and services meet their unique needs.
We work to support the Minister for Indigenous Australians".
The Agency’s statement of purpose is “… lead and influence change across government to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a say in the decisions that affect them.”
Public mention of the NDAA is sparse but it spends approx. $4.5 billion PA on meeting its purpose and has a staff of around 1,300. [Budget paper below].
At the council presentation this week the community was encouraged to attend the information sessions being offered across the region to explain The Voice and why we should vote yes.
My question to Mr Smith "Will NIAA transition into the Voice bureaucracy? Will it cost about the same? What difference will that be? These are questions the public needs to have answers for yet there is obfuscation all around the issue".
Name supplied and withheld on request.
