Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Group

About the Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Group

Established by the Minister for Child Protection in 2022 as an Advisory Group under section 27 of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, the Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Group (also known as the Advisory Group) reports to the Director General of the Department of Communities. The Advisory Group provides advice on the development and implementation of policies and strategies or matters that impact on Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.

This includes input on important areas of work, including the Department of Communities’ Closing the Gap outcomes, child protection, disability services, family and domestic violence, and homelessness.

The Advisory Group works collaboratively to:

• Help the voices and views of the Western Australian Aboriginal community to be heard and appropriately actioned by the Department of Communities
• Provide advice to the Director General
• Provide advice to the Department of Communities on matters that the Director General refers to the Advisory Group; and
• Assist Department of Communities staff to gain a deeper understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal people and build cultural capabilities in attitudes, behaviours, skills, and knowledge.

The Advisory Group generally meets up to four times per year to provide advice on a range of strategic and policy matters.

Aboriginal people from across Western Australia have been appointed to the Advisory Group, with a mix of lived experience, knowledge and skills and a balance of men and women making up the membership.

Co-Chairs

• Patricia Hayward
• Tony Hansen

Members

• Cheryle James-Wallace
• Denise Andrews
• Devon Cuimara
• Ian Trust AO
• Jodie Clarke
• Leanne Kickett
• Leanne Lockyer
• Ron Villaflor
• Tracey Brand

Ex-officio member

• Mike Rowe, Director General, Department of Communities