Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) was established by Australian federal law in 1989 . The ATSIC was intended to represent the interests of the Australian Aborigines to the various organs of Australian federal, state and local governments. In addition, the ATSIC should formulate and implement programs that serve to promote the social and cultural system of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders .
ATSIC should also work with Aborigines and Torres Straight Islanders on all levels, be it on an organizational or personal level. ATSIC was directly subordinate to the Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. The commission had a board led by a chairperson. The board and chairman were democratically elected by regional representatives representing all of Australia.
After lengthy reviews, the ATSIC was finally abolished in July 2005 by the government under John Howard . There were a number of internal problems and a few corruption scandals, and the Commission was "too busy with symbolic matters". The ATSIC is to be replaced by a group of indigenous advisers who will then influence official politics.
In the same month the ATSIC was abolished, the only Member of Parliament with Aboriginal descent, Aden Ridgeway , was not re-elected.