DIMIA Annual Report 2004-05
Outcome 3
Outcome Three seeks sound and well-coordinated policies, programs and decision making processes in relation to Indigenous affairs and Reconciliation.
The supporting departmental output is:
- 3.1-Indigenous Policy
On 1 July 2004 the OIPC was established within the department. It is responsible for wide-ranging functions as a consequence of the new arrangements in Indigenous affairs and absorbed functions of two former departmental units-the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (OATSIA) and the Indigenous Communities Coordination Taskforce (ICCT).
The new arrangements, announced on 15 April 2004, involved:
- the abolition of portfolio agencies, ATSIC and ATSIS, achieved during the year under review
- the transfer of programs formerly administered by ATSIC-ATSIS to relevant mainstream government agencies (including the department) under a 'whole-of-government approach
- the establishment of top-level structures to oversee the new approach: the MTF, supported by a Secretaries' Group on Indigenous Affairs and advised by a National Indigenous Council (NIC)
- the establishment of 30 Indigenous Coordination Centres (ICCs) in metropolitan, regional and remote Australia charged with brokering innovative coordinated responses to local Indigenous needs and priorities.