The First Nations Portfolio’s Murru waaruu (On Track) Economic Development Series culminated in the sixth and final seminar – ‘Niiringal (the day after) Implementation of Uluru Part 4: The right institutional arrangements’ – marking the conclusion of this insightful and transformative series.
Continuing the spirit of the 2022 Marramarra murru (Creating Pathways) Economic Development Wealth Forum and Symposium, the seminar series has brought together forward-thinking academics and professionals throughout 2023 who share a common objective: to develop a policy framework that empowers the economic advancement of First Nations Australians.
Seminar Six – held on Wednesday, 22 November 2023 from 9:00am until 5:00pm, at the Australian National University in Canberra – assessed existing economic self-determination policies for Australian First Nations institutions and identified modifications to support economic self-determination.
Prominent First Nations leaders and entrepreneurs, public figures, policymakers, scholars and industry authorities deliberated on whether we have the right institutional settings in place and to examine what additional institutional functions are required to support economic self-determination.
A policy shift may also prompt organisations like Registered Native Title Prescribed Body Corporates and Land Councils to enhance the nature and scope of their activities so that they thrive in a policy environment centred on economic self-determination.
The outcomes of the Murru waaruu seminars will be captured in a Policy Position Paper to be published at the conclusion of the series. The Policy Position Paper will chart Australia’s First Nations economic policy and institutional framework with a view to achieving sustained and durable economic self-determination for future generations.
To wrap up the Murru waaruu (On Track) Economic Development Seminar Series for 2023, delegates were invited to join the First Nations Portfolio at the conclusion of the final seminar from 5:00pm-6:30pm for drinks and canapés to reflect on the shared journey and celebrate where we have arrived at.
Keynote Address – The importance of this agenda has never been greater: Hon. Ben Wyatt, Principal, Wyatt Martin Pty Ltd
Keynote Address – Institutional arrangements that support Indigenous economic development in Canada: Mr Geordie Hungerford, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Financial Management Board (Canada)
Keynote Address – NIAA Perspectives: Ms Jody Broun, Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Australians Agency
Keynote Address – Where to now?: Professor Peter Yu, Vice President First Nations, First Nations Portfolio, ANU
Discussion Panel