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Indigenous Advisory Committee

In recognition of the role of Indigenous people in the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity, an Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) has been established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The committee advises the Minister for the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts on the operation of the Act, taking into account the significance of Indigenous peoples' knowledge of the management of land and the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

The then-Minister for the Environment and Heritage appointed the members of the first Indigenous Advisory Committee in 2000. Membership of the committee is based on their expertise in Indigenous land management, conservation and cultural heritage management. All committee members are Indigenous Australians and are not chosen to represent particular regions or organisations.

The members of the Indigenous Advisory Committee have a wide range of skills and knowledge in fields such as park management, Indigenous land management, health, tertiary education and local, regional and state Indigenous affairs.

The Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Committee is Ms Melissa George, who is the State Indigenous Natural Resource Management Network Coordinator in Queensland (Murri Network). She has extensive experience in cultural heritage, land and sea management and issues as they relate to traditional owners and Indigenous communities.

The other members of the committee are:

• Mr Rocky Sainty (Tasmania)
• Mr Glen Kelly (Western Australia)
• Ms Chrissy Grant (New South Wales)
• Ms Francine McCarthy (Northern Territory)
• Mr Joe Morrison (Northern Territory)
• Mr Vic McGrath (Torres Strait Islands)
• Mr Damien Bell (Victoria)
• Ms Marilyn Ah Chee (South Australia)
• Mr Dave Johnston (Australian Capital Territory)
• Mr Daniel Oades (Western Australia)

Meetings

The Indigenous Advisory Committee meets at least twice a year. Meetings are rotated around States and regions.

The committee addresses issues relating to the EPBC Act. That is, issues relating to activities in Commonwealth areas and activities affecting the matters of National Environmental Significance that the EPBC Act covers. These are currently World Heritage properties, Ramsar wetlands, nationally threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, Commonwealth marine areas, nuclear actions including uranium mining, and places on the National Heritage List.

Further Information

To obtain further information about the role of the Indigenous Advisory Committee or committee members, contact:

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