A new group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business owners have been selected as part of a new group to support Indigenous economic development throughout Northern Australia.
The new group will follow on from the work of the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group, which was initially established in 2017.
Six new members will provide advice to state and federal governments and make sure the interests of Indigenous landowners, communities and businesses are represented in the Northern Australian economic agenda.
Two Territorians were selected as part of the new group – Tara Craigie and Jerome Cubillo.
Ms Craigie previously ran the Real Jobs Program for the NT Cattlemen’s Association which aimed to improve the amount of Aboriginal Territorians working in the agriculture sector in the NT. She currently runs the Aboriginal-led Warrigundu Station.
Larrakia Nation man and Torres Strait Islander man and CEO of the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network Jerome Cubillo has also been appointed into the group.
The group will be chaired by Indjalandji-Dhidhanu man Assoc Prof Colin Saltmere (Chair) who leads the ongoing development and expansion of Indigenous civil construction, hospitality, catering, labour-hire and training businesses throughout West Isa and Alpurrurulam regions.
CEO of the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council Troy Fraser, CEO of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation Peter Jeffries and the country’s first Aboriginal female electrician and current CEO of MJB Solutions Gillian Mailman have also been appointed to the group.
Acting Leader of the Nationals and Minister for Northern Australia David Littleproud spoke to CAAMA’s Philippe Perez about the new group, as well as the Beetaloo Basin and more borders opening up across Australia (audio below):
Feature picture: public domain
Note: This article initially published that Gillian Mailman was Australia’s first Aboriginal electrician. This is incorrect, she is Australia’s first Aboriginal female electrician.