Action item 11.5

Action item update

Implementation

Principles of Engagement when using Aboriginal Interpreters (the Principles) have been developed by the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet in consultation with the Aboriginal Interpreters Service (AIS) to provide a consistent set of guidance for all those consulting with Aboriginal people.

The Principles emphasise the importance of using interpreters when explaining complex scientific matters and recognise the significance of respecting community and culture when consulting with Aboriginal people. The objective of the Principles is to promote consistent, effective and accountable engagement with Aboriginal people through working together.

The Principles were developed to align with similar existing principles regarding important aspects of remote and Aboriginal engagement including:

• Northern Territory Government’s Remote Engagement and Coordination Strategy;
• Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory’s (APONT) Partnership Principles for working with Aboriginal Organisations and communities in the Northern Territory; and
• Australian Government’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Protocol on Indigenous Language Interpreting.

The Principles are available on the Onshore Gas website and are additionally linked to key resource sites to ensure they are accessible to all stakeholders engaging with Aboriginal community members.

It is recognised that key authorities and stakeholders including the Land Councils and the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority have their own resources and expectations regarding culturally appropriate engagement with Aboriginal community members, therefore the Principles are an additional level of guidance to support those specific resources and requirements.