Indigenous Employment and Leadership in
Local Government – a Two-Way Value
Proposition Roundtable
Part of the LGMA / ACELG Workforce Development Program
A CongressPlus Event
PROGRAM
Tuesday 28 April 2015, 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday 29 April 2015, 8:30am – 4:00pm
Vibe Darwin City Waterfront Hotel
7 Kitchener Drive, Waterfront, Darwin
PURPOSE
To improve engagement and consultation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous local government and
other key stakeholders in order to gather input on key issues to help inform and direct future activities
by exploring:

The Value Proposition for local government in employing Indigenous people, including the
business case, practitioner case studies, and other factors, in order to try and engage more local
government decision makers from across Australia to take action to increase Indigenous
workforce participation;

The Value Proposition for Indigenous people to work in local government, given that it offers
place-based employment and diverse career pathways across Australia; and

How to develop and support more Indigenous employees into management level and leadership
roles in Local Government.
Indigenous Employment and
Leadership in Local
Government – a Two-Way
Value Proposition Roundtable
ROUNDTABLE FACILITATOR – Allan McGill, former CEO, NT Department of Local Government
Allan and his family moved to Milikapiti on Melville Island in the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin in 1980, where
he took on the role as Town Clerk of the local community council. That was a whole new
experience for a person with a heart full of good intentions and a head full of ideals. After two
years on the Tiwi Islands, and later, after completing terms as the Chief Executive Officer of
councils in Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin over a period of nearly 30 years, Allan moved
to the private sector in 2008, becoming Manager of Territory Alliance, a construction
company. He then took on the role of Chief of Staff for the NT Chief Minister, and later, CEO of
two Northern Territory Government Departments, including the Department of Local Government.
In his free time, Allan plays drums in rock and jazz bands, and is also a polocrosse competitor. He is currently
Chairman of Selectors for Polocrosse Australia. Over the years he has contributed to the community through
active involvement in many organisations including Apex, Rotary, school councils and various sporting and
cultural groups. He was the Chairman of the Tiwi Bombers Football club for four and a half years, and provides
support and mentoring to a number of Tiwi people.
Day One: TUESDAY 28 April – Vibe Darwin City Waterfront Hotel
12:00PM
REGISTRATION AND ARRIVAL TEA AND COFFEE
(With continuous tea and coffee throughout the day)
Welcome to Country
12:30pm
Bilawara Lee, an elder of the Larrakia Nation, the traditional owners of the
Darwin region
Introduction and Welcome
12:45pm
Ricki Bruhn, CEO, City of Palmerston; President, Local Government Managers
Australia (LGMA) NT
As President of LGMA in the NT and as CEO of a council in the Darwin area, Ricki is well placed to provide
an introduction to the NT and talk about why the issues in the NT matter and are important.
Ministerial Perspective – Northern Territory Department for LG and Community Services
1:00pm
KEYNOTE | The Hon Bess Nungarrayi Price MLA, NT Minister for Local
Government and Community Services


Overview of NT Government Indigenous employment and leadership programs,
including First Circles and the Parks and Wildlife Indigenous Employment Strategy
Reflections on how more Indigenous employees could be developed and supported
into management and leadership roles in local government.
Bess Price is a Warlpiri woman from Central Australia. She became a mother at the age of 13. At age 18,
after surviving years of domestic violence, she left the father of the child and began to study
to become a teacher. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Aboriginal Community
Management and Development from Curtin University. She has worked in education and
training, public administration, the media, community development, interpreting,
translating and language teaching and has experience in small business management.
Representing Central Australia and Indigenous Australians at conferences and workshops in Québec,
Roundtable Format: 20 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and open discussion
Program subject to change without notice
Indigenous Employment and
Leadership in Local
Government – a Two-Way
Value Proposition Roundtable
Beijing, Vancouver and Deerfield Massachusetts, Bess uses her unique life experiences to formulate public
policy. In 2014 she was party to the Australian Government delegation to New York to attend the 58th
Commission on the Status of Women. With extensive private sector experience, Bess has worked with/at a
range of organisations, and also sits in a number of management boards and committees, some of which
she chairs. Bess was elected to the Northern Territory parliament in 2012, and was promoted to Cabinet in
the portfolios of Community Services, Women’s Policy, Men’s Policy, Parks and Wildlife and Statehood in
September 2013. Bess is not only an outspoken advocate for women, children and families in Aboriginal
communities but across Australia, campaigning tirelessly for their protection from violence and sexual
abuse. In 2013 she was a nominee for the US International Women's Courage Award. In 2014 she was
nominated and won the Northern Territory Award for Excellence in Women’s Leadership.
Context and Overview
1:40pm
Allan McGill, Facilitator
With many years of experience in the local government sector and working in councils all over the Northern
Territory, Allan will set the context for the Roundtable as the facilitator, and will provide a broad overview
of some of the issues that will be discussed at the Roundtable. He will also introduce the next session by
telling some stories of his time in the Tiwi Islands from three decades ago.
Remote Local Government Case Study – Tiwi Islands Regional Council
2:00pm
Marius (Pirriwayingi) Puruntatameri and Kevin Doolan, Tiwi Islands Regional
Council, with Allan McGill



Welcome in Tiwi language, followed by issues and problems associated with language
Local cultural perspectives related to employment
Challenges and successes
Pirriwayingi will begin and will welcome the audience in his local Tiwi language. Kevin will provide an
explanation of what was said in English, and will also talk about the issues and problems associated with
language, and with not being able to be understood. Together they will outline some of the corrections
program work that is taking place in the Territory in relation to youth diversion and steps towards
employment and other barriers to employment in management level roles. Their presentation will address
some of the challenges facing Aboriginal people in remote communities, as well as positive stories.
Challenges include cultural and family pressures, the impact of drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence,
the lack of real opportunities, and the cultural demands that impact on attendance, as well as some positive
stories. Allan, as a long-term mentor and supporter of Tiwi people, will provide some insight as well. They
will finish with a culturally appropriate presentation.
2:40pm
COFFEE AND SNACK BREAK
Indigenous Youth Programs – A Perspective
2:55pm
Alex Splitt, Head of Indigenous Programs / Director, National Indigenous Youth
Leadership Academy (NIYLA), Foundation for Young Australians (FYA)


How to assist Indigenous youth to reach their full potential and have the opportunity
to follow their passion
Perspectives on how this could be achieved through education, employment,
enterprise or beyond.
Alex Splitt is the Director of the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA) and Head of
Indigenous Programs at the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA). Born in Tennant Creek NT, Alex is a
Gubbi Gubbi man, who before working at FYA was the COO of the Korin Gamadji Institute. Alex also played
an important role in the development of the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2013-18, which
provides a platform to create a better future for Victorian's young and growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Roundtable Format: 20 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and open discussion
Program subject to change without notice
Indigenous Employment and
Leadership in Local
Government – a Two-Way
Value Proposition Roundtable
Islander population. As an Aboriginal man, Alex has experienced first-hand the strong cultural identity that
our First Nations peoples share. He believes the capabilities and capacity of the young people in our
communities have the potential to create generation change and end the social disadvantage experience by
many Indigenous people across Australia. FYA’s Indigenous programs aim to provide young Aboriginal
and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 14 – 29 years with the opportunity to participate in a suite of
tailored programs, aimed at developing enterprise skills, supporting connection to culture, leadership and
social action skills. In addition, the programs support participants to build aspirations and career direction
leading to positive transitions into work or further study. Through NIYLA and IMPACT, FYA supports young
Indigenous people along their journey by providing regular touch points of engagement. The support
provides a platform for young people to reach their full potential and have the opportunity to follow their
passion, whether through education, employment, enterprise or beyond.
Current NT and Related Top End Issues – Local and NT Government Perspectives
3:35pm
Panel Discussion


Allan McGill will facilitate a panel discussion on current issues of specific relevance to
the NT and the Top End.
Each speaker will have 20 minutes to speak, with some time at the end for Q&A.
The featured speakers will be:
David Jan, Manager Policy Development and Corporate Services, Local
Government Association of the NT (LGANT)
David is a long-term resident of the NT and has been working at LGANT for many years, during which time
he has had the opportunity to see many changes to policy and programs and to observe the
impacts these have had on the ground. He is therefore well placed to provide an update on the
current issues of concern for local government, how they have changed over the years, and
track progress regarding Indigenous employment in Local Government, including
management level pathway development.
Michael Chiodo, CEO, NT Department of Local Government and Community
Services
Mike is the Chief Executive of the Department of Local Government and Community Services; and the Office
of Aboriginal Affairs. As such, he is responsible for, amongst other things, the community
development for regional centres, remote communities and homelands; the coordination of
funding of essential services to remote Indigenous communities not serviced by
Commonwealth programs; the coordination of service delivery for remote communities and
homelands; the essential services for remote communities and homelands; the coordination
of service delivery to regional centres; local government and funding; and interpreting and
translating services. He will provide a perspective on the broader issues facing the sector and how they
specifically impact Indigenous employment.
4:20pm
COFFEE AND SNACK BREAK
Update on Remote Jobs and Communities Program and Remote Work For The Dole
4:30pm
Dennis Batty, Jobs Australia Indigenous Network, Jobs Australia


Update on future of remote employment services with a specific focus on Remote Jobs
and Communities Program (RJCP), Remote Work for the Dole, and ramifications of the
Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS).
Implications for councils, specifically council employment programs.
Roundtable Format: 20 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and open discussion
Program subject to change without notice
Indigenous Employment and
Leadership in Local
Government – a Two-Way
Value Proposition Roundtable
Regional Local Government Case Study – Latrobe City Council
5:10pm
Joanne Brunt, Coordinator Employment Development, Latrobe City Council, VIC


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Insights and learnings from a successful local government direct employment
program.
Local government as a regional Indigenous employment broker.
The importance of strategic partnerships.
Joanne will talk about Latrobe City Council’s innovative Steps to the Future Indigenous Employment
Program, which is an initiative in partnership with the federal government, developed to
improve employment opportunities in Gippsland. The program offers pre-employment
training, wage assistance, cross-cultural training and mentoring and support to both the
trainee and employer. The program has won numerous awards, and Joanne will focus her
remarks on the lessons learned and the leadership implications.
Key Issues and Learnings Roundup – Day One
5:50pm
Allan McGill, Facilitator

6:00pm
Summary of key issues and learnings from the presentations and discussions on Day
One.
END OF DAY ONE
7:00pm
Optional Dinner
For any interested delegates, we will be meeting for an optional dinner in the city at own expense
Day Two: WEDNESDAY 29 April – Vibe Darwin City Waterfront Hotel
8:30am
REGISTRATION AND ARRIVAL TEA AND COFFEE
(With continuous tea and coffee throughout the day)
Introduction and Welcome
8:50am
Andrew Wardlaw, General Manager, Burnie City Council, TAS; Member, National
Executive, LGMA National
On behalf of the Board of LGMA National, Andrew will officially welcome participants to Day Two,
and will talk about how the issues of this Roundtable fit into the work and goals of LGMA as a
Federation.
Roundtable Format: 20 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and open discussion
Program subject to change without notice
Indigenous Employment and
Leadership in Local
Government – a Two-Way
Value Proposition Roundtable
Opening Address
9:00am
Katrina Fong Lim, Lord Mayor of Darwin
Katrina was born in Darwin, the fourth of six daughters to a businessman who became Lord Mayor of
Darwin in the 1980s. Katrina was an exchange student in the USA for a year, after which she
returned to complete a Bachelor of Business and later a Master of Professional Accounting
from the University of Southern Queensland. Katrina worked for thirteen years with the
Commonwealth Public Service, undertaking a variety of jobs in a range of government
departments. She then left the Public Service to work in the not for profit sector where she
worked for 20 years including time at the YWCA, Crafts Council, NT Centenary of Federation
and most recently as the Executive Director of Australia Day Council NT. She operated a small business in
Darwin, initially delivering Financial Management Training to builders through the Master Builders
Association NT. Katrina was voted Lord Mayor of Darwin in April 2012, and together with twelve elected
Aldermen, is Lord Mayor for a period of four years. She names her family as her strongest supporters and
influencers, and with that influence, is a patron of the Surf Life Saving NT, the Darwin Dog Obedience Club,
the Nightcliff Sports Club, the Mindil Aces Football Club, and the Arafura Dragons NT. She is also Vice Patron
of the Royal Agricultural Society of the NT, and member of the National Trust NT, the Chung Wah Society
NT, the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, the Australia China Friendship Society and the CDU Foundation. With
such service and history in the Top End, she will welcome delegates and will provide a context to the
Roundtable and the issues of concern, peppered with some anecdotes of her time as mayor dealing with
issues of Indigenous employment.
Federal Government Update
9:20am
Joanne Fry, Deputy State Manager, NT Office, Australian Government Department
of Employment
Jo Fry is a local Darwin woman, who began her career working in a legal firm. She commenced formal
studies in Law, and in 2000, undertook her Articles of Clerkship with the North Australian
Aboriginal Legal Aid Service. Jo currently works in the Australian Public Service (APS) with
the Department of Employment. Her career in the APS has now spanned over 18 years and
included work such as Indigenous economic development, workplace relations legal policy
and remote employment policy. Jo has extensive experience working in remote areas with
service delivery providers and in community engagement. Her current role of Industry Strategy Manager
has expanded her diverse portfolio to include labour market analysis and industry workforce development.
Leadership in Local Government: Becoming a Council CEO – Reflections and Learnings
10:00am
Michael Berto, CEO, Roper Gulf Regional Council, NT
Michael Berto was born in Darwin and moved to Katherine in 1974 where he completed secondary
schooling and commenced an Apprenticeship as an Automotive Mechanic in 1978. He then
worked in the industry for some years before transferring to employment services where he
spent 4 years visiting remote Indigenous communities helping people with securing
employment and training opportunities. Michael then set up a mechanical repairs and
maintenance workshop in Katherine in a partnership with 4 other Indigenous friends in the
late 1980’s. After over 3 years he moved to the Barunga community and worked as a
mechanic, exposing his young family to the rich culture of the region. These were some of the best years
spent together as a family. In 1993, Michael returned with his family to Katherine and worked again in
administration for the commonwealth government in employment services for the next 10 years. He then
worked in the former Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island Commission (ATSIC) as the local Regional
Council’s Chairperson, which was a real eye-opener to the world of Indigenous politics on a national level.
In 2005, Michael was encouraged to take up an opportunity with a local government Council in Katherine.
He subsequently commenced as the CEO of the Nyirrangulung Ngadbere Mardrulk Regional Council and
after three years the organisation amalgamated into the Roper Gulf Shire Council in 2008. In 2013 it became
the Roper Gulf Regional Council, and Michael is still the CEO of the Council and is based in Katherine. He is
married with 4 children and splits his time between Katherine and Darwin.
Roundtable Format: 20 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and open discussion
Program subject to change without notice
Indigenous Employment and
Leadership in Local
Government – a Two-Way
Value Proposition Roundtable
10:40am
MORNING TEA AND SNACK BREAK
Indigenous Employment Business Case
11:10am
Justin Mohamed, CEO, Reconciliation Australia



The business case for Indigenous employment using key findings from the
Reconciliation Australia Deloitte Access Economics report (2014).
The critical role of local government in reconciliation and Indigenous economic
participation.
RA workplace support programs, and for you to talk about all of this in the context of
your personal journey and employment/education background.
Justin Mohamed is a Gooreng Gooreng man from Bundaberg in Queensland. He worked with Victorian
Aboriginal communities for 20 years before being elected to as Chairperson of the National
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). Prior to his role at
NACCHO, Justin was the inaugural director of the Academy of Sport, Health and Education
(ASHE), an initiative of the Rumabalara Football/Netball Club. He chaired the Victorian
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, and is Co-Chair of the National
Health Leadership Forum. He has also held positions on multiple community, state and
national working groups, committees and boards and continues to be a director of the
Greater Western Sydney Giants Foundation and Chairperson of Ganbina. Justin began with Reconciliation
Australia in late 2014 and has brought his considerable skills and experience in working collaboratively
with community, government and business to the position.
Critical Leadership Issues and Challenges
11:50am
Ian Trust, Chairman and Executive Director, Wunan Foundation
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The difference between good leaders and great leaders.
The need for greater personal responsibility and stronger leadership at all levels.
The development of emerging Aboriginal leaders.
Aboriginal independence.
Empowered Communities.
Ian Trust is a local Gija man from Wuggubun Community. He has a strong and coherent vision of a better
future for Aboriginal people in the East Kimberley – a future beyond welfare and
government dependency. He has worked tirelessly to progress this vision through such
initiatives as the ATSIC Regional Council’s “future building” strategy (1996), the East
Kimberley Aboriginal Achievement Awards, and reforms in the Aboriginal Housing and
Infrastructure sector. Ian has been Executive Director of the Wunan Foundation since 2004
and Chairman since 2008. Wunan is an Aboriginal development organisation in the East
Kimberley, with a clear purpose and strategy to drive long-term socio-economic change for Aboriginal
people by providing real opportunities, investing in people’s abilities, and by encouraging and rewarding
aspiration and self-responsibility. Ian is also a Director of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA); a Director
of the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC); a Director of the Aarnja Board, West Kimberley; a Board Member
of the Kimberley College of TAFE; and was formerly an ATSIC Commissioner (Kimberley).
12:30pm
LUNCH
Roundtable Format: 20 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and open discussion
Program subject to change without notice
Indigenous Employment and
Leadership in Local
Government – a Two-Way
Value Proposition Roundtable
Context and Overview
1:20pm
Allan McGill, Facilitator
Following lunch, Allan McGill, as facilitator, will summarise and put into context the session thus far, and
will provide an overview and context of the sessions coming up for the rest of the day, in order to make the
most of the Roundtable.
Indigenous Opportunity and Economic Development in the NT
1:40pm
Bob Beadman, Chairman, NT Grants Commission
Bob Beadman officially retired in late 2001 following a career spanning 43 years’ service in the Australian
and Northern Territory Public Services, but since then he was appointed Chairman of the
NT Grants Commission in 2002; Director, Regional and Community Development Cyclone
Recovery in 2015; and Treasurer Tiwi Bombers Football Club in 2011. He has also served
on various other committees and boards. Over his long career he was Senior Private
Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Regional Director (Northern) Darwin,
Regional Director Central Australia, Alice Springs and many senior positions in the Head
Office of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. The work included numerous appearances
before Parliamentary Committees, representing Australia at the International Labour Organisation in
Geneva for its revision of the Indigenous Tribal Peoples Convention in 1989, and at the United Nations
Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva during its work on the draft Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples in 1990. He organised and managed the high profile issues, such as the International
Border between Australia and the then newly independent Papua New Guinea, land rights at Wreck Bay in
the Jervis Bay Territory of the Australian Capital Territory, the Uluru Handover and the delivery of
inalienable land tittle to the Gurindji people at Wattie Creek in the NT. In 1994 he was appointed as
Secretary of the NT Department of Lands, Housing and Local Government, and the Chief Executive Officer
of the Office of Aboriginal Development. Key involvements included reform of public housing policy, the
creation of the Indigenous Housing Authority of the Northern Territory, reform of the library grants
program, and a fresh approach to the structure of local governments. Considerable emphasis and effort
were placed on encouraging economic independence as an alternative to the welfare dependency, and the
social benefits that might follow. He will be talking about the distribution of wealth and the experience of
working in Indigenous communities in the NT.
Constitutional Recognition
2:20pm
Tanya Hosch, Joint Campaign Director, RECOGNISE Campaign


Indigenous employment and leadership in the context of constitutional recognition
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Key issues of the campaign in the broader context of the local government sector.
Tanya is the Joint Campaign Director for RECOGNISE, a position she shares with Tim Gartrell. Recognise is
the movement to raise community awareness and support for constitutional change to
recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution. Prior
to this, Tanya has been in advocacy and consulting roles with the aim of increasing
philanthropic investment into Indigenous development. Tanya was an integral member of
the team responsible for the model design and establishment of the National Congress of
Australia’s First Peoples. More recently Tanya worked with a steering committee to
establish the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute. For the past 15 years Tanya has
sat on a number of boards and committees. She currently sits on the boards of the Australian Indigenous
Governance Institute, the National Board of the Australian Red Cross, and has recently been appointed as
the Independent Chair of the new company Price Waterhouse Coopers Indigenous Consulting. In 2013
Tanya was named in the South Australian Women’s Honour Roll and for the past two consecutive years has
been recognised in the list of ‘100 Women of Influence’ Awards run by Westpac and the Australian Financial
Review to recognise women who are achievers in Australian business and society. In 2014, Tanya was
Roundtable Format: 20 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and open discussion
Program subject to change without notice
Indigenous Employment and
Leadership in Local
Government – a Two-Way
Value Proposition Roundtable
appointed to the Review Panel for the Act of Recognition (2013) to provide a report (delivered in
September 2014) to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
Wrap up and key learnings
3:00pm
Facilitated Discussion
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
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4:00pm
Allan McGill, as Roundtable facilitator, will convene a discussion about the issues and
points to consider from the Roundtable.
These key messages and points will make up part of the Communique to be prepared
after the Roundtable.
The discussion will also inform part of the Workforce breakout session at the LGMA
National Congress, and will be featured in the outcomes presentation at the
conclusion of Congress.
END OF ROUNDTABLE
6:00pm – 8:00pm
2015 LGMA National Congress Welcome Reception at Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin
(This is only for registered Congress delegates)
Indigenous Employment and Leadership in Local
Government – a Two-Way Value Proposition Roundtable
Presented by the LGMA / ACELG Workforce Development Program
Roundtable Format: 20 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and open discussion
Program subject to change without notice