PORTER’S CADETS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Ms Mary Porter AM MLA, Member for Ginninderra, spoke today about need to have more Indigenous Australians involved in politics.

“In my office, I have benefitted greatly from the support I have received from Federal Government's Indigenous Cadetship Initiative,” Ms Porter said.

“Currently, a Law Student at ANU, Jack Simpson, is working three days per week as an adviser, and his salary is subsidised by funding sourced from the Indigenous Cadetship Initiative. “

“His predecessor in this position, Frank Gafa, also had his salary subsidised through this initiative, and has since moved on to work for 2009 Australian of the Year Professor Mick Dodson, as a research assistant.

“Not only do I benefit from the great work that these young men have produced, but I also play a modest role in addressing a serious imbalance in Australian politics,” Ms Porter stated.

“We often refer to the importance of closing the gap, but there is also the gap in the level of representation in Australian politics.

“The fact remains that there has never been an Indigenous Member of Parliament from the Australian Labor Party,” Ms Porter said.

“To the best of my knowledge, there is not one political adviser working in the Legislative Assembly who is Indigenous.”

NAIDOC stands for the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.

“I believe that these young men will make outstanding contributions to politics in the ACT in the future, if they decide to remain in politics.”

Statement Ends
Media Contact: Andrew Hunter 02 6205 0428 bh 0431 739 775
Andrew.hunter@parliament.act.gov.au