PM Transcripts

AUSTRALIAN SENATE
CANBERRA. A. C. T.
Statement by Senator Susan Ryan, Minister Assisting the
Prime Minister on the Status of Women
ABORIGINAL WOMEN'S TASK FORCE
An Aboriginal Women's Task Force will be established
within the Office of the Status of Women to consult with
Aboriginal women in communities around Australia.
In National Aborigines Week it is particularly
important to identify areas where Aboriginal consultation and
participation can be improved.
The Task Force will be seeking Aboriginal women's
views on a wide range of issues including land rights, culture,
health, housing, education, employment, legal aid and
adoption and fostering of Aboriginal children.
Task Force members are Phyllis Daylight and Mary
Johnstone. Ms Daylight, was born in Queensland and is an
Education Officer with the Department of Education and Youth
Affairs in Darwin where she has lived for six years. She
will be taking up duty in Canberra soon. Ms Johnstone,
originally from Yass, NSW, is already working in the Office
of the Status of Women preparing the Task Force's program
of consultations. She was formerly on the staff of " edibank
Private in Melbourne and Sydney. They will work closely with
the women members cf the National Aboriginal Conference and
the Federation of Aboriginal Women. The National Aboriginal
Conference has already endorsed the establishment of the Task
Force. The most important objective of the Task Force is to
ensure that Aboriginal women themselves identify their own needs.
The Task Force's recommendations will be based on the
views of Aboriginal women. This will add a vital new dimension
to government planning and programs, and be a first step in
ensuring that the views of Aboriginal women arc taken into
account in the formulation and implementation of government
policy. -oCo-
CA'. B3' RRA, 5 July 1982