The fourth election of members to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) commences today, Monday, 17 May 2021, the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Mr Damian Cantwell AM CSC, announced this morning.

The ATSIEB election, last held in July 2017, was originally scheduled to be conducted in July 2020. However, due to public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the election was formally postponed by the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Ms Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, until 2021.

“The election officially commences today with the launch at Boomanulla Oval, 169 Goyder St, Narrabundah and the opening of the period for candidate nomination. This event is open to the members of the public and media” Mr Cantwell said.

ATSIEB was established by the ACT Legislative Assembly to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the ACT to have a strong democratically elected voice and is comprised of seven members who are elected every three years.

Its members represent the interests and aspirations of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.  It provides direct advice to the ACT Government with the ambition of improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans.

“Voting in the election will coincide with NAIDOC week celebrations in the ACT.  Voting will commence on Saturday 3 July and continue until Saturday 10 July 2021 at a number of venues across Canberra.  Locations and times for voting will be published on the Elections ACT website,” Mr Cantwell said.

For further information about the election of members to the Elected Body visit the Elections ACT website at www.elections.act.gov.au or call 6205 0033.

For further information on the Elected Body call 6205 2551, visit http://atsieb.com.au/ or email atsieb@act.gov.au.