Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt today announced 12 appointments to a reinvigorated Aboriginal Advisory Council (generally known as the Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council or WAAAC).
As a statutory board under the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972, the Aboriginal Advisory Council will play a key role in State priorities including the development of an Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy, Closing the Gap, Aboriginal youth suicide and reduced incarceration of Aboriginal people in custody.
Peer-nominated, these 12 Aboriginal leaders represent a diversity of regions, organisation types, areas of expertise and genders, confirming the leading role they will play in terms of a genuine partnership approach to engagement with the State Government.
The members appointed are Gail Beck, Daniel Brown, Merle Carter, Linda Dridi, Jonathan Ford, Corina Martin, Vicki O’Donnell, Gail Reynolds-Adamson, Peter Riley, Marty Sibosado and Peter Yu, and the reappointment of Gordon Gray.
More information about the Aboriginal Advisory Council is available at
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
“I congratulate the 12 members on their appointment to the Aboriginal Advisory Council.
“This Government is committed to working with Aboriginal people for better social, economic, health and cultural outcomes. Progressing a whole-of-government approach to Aboriginal outcomes and engagement must be built around Aboriginal people’s views, priorities, voices, and aspirations, and the Aboriginal Advisory Council’s involvement is crucial.
“These appointments present a significant step forward to developing a more inclusive and contemporary engagement partnership between Aboriginal people and the Western Australian Government.
“Over the next 12 months, the Aboriginal Advisory Council will work with the Western Australian Government to design a more representative structure for regional engagement and decision making.”
