Political Interference in Aboriginal Affairs How Favouritism Holds Back Progress

For decades, Aboriginal affairs have been controlled by a select few, where political connections often matter more than merit or the actual needs of our communities.

But instead of prioritising Indigenous self-determination and appointing the best people for critical roles, we’ve seen a pattern of favouritism, political interference and exclusion that prevents real progress.

And the recent settlement between the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) and its former CEO, Priscilla Atkins, is a perfect example of this ongoing issue.

But the case (which dragged on for years) wasn’t just about a wrongful dismissal - it was about how politics and personal agendas dictate who holds power in Indigenous affairs, rather than the ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for our people.

The NAAJA Case: An Example of Systemic Favouritism

In 2021, Priscilla Atkins was ousted from her role as CEO of NAAJA under controversial circumstances.

So she took legal action, claiming she had been wrongfully dismissed and after years of legal battles, NAAJA finally settled the case earlier this month... and even though the terms of the settlement were confidential, this case reveals a deeper issue: Indigenous governance is often manipulated by those who seek to maintain control rather than serve the best interests of the community.

How many other highly qualified Indigenous professionals have been pushed out, silenced or excluded because they were not part of the 'in-group'?

This isn’t just about one case.

It’s a recurring pattern in Aboriginal affairs, where bureaucratic gatekeepers - both Indigenous and non-Indigenous - maintain their grip on power by handpicking successors who won’t challenge the status quo.

And instead of elevating Indigenous leaders based on expertise and commitment to community, we see decision-making driven by political loyalty and self-preservation.

The Bigger Picture: Political Interference in Indigenous Governance

The Australian government (whether Labor or Liberal) has a long history of political interference in Indigenous governance.

And instead of supporting independent decision-making and leadership within our communities, funding and leadership appointments often favour individuals and organisations that are politically aligned with those in power and their agendas, which usually don't align with the best interests of First Nations.

This top-down approach results in failed policies, wasted resources and widespread disillusionment among First Nations people who feel excluded from decisions that impact their lives.

I’ve experienced this firsthand, when I applied for the CEO role at a Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) and I saw how selection processes can be manipulated.

And despite being qualified and committed to bringing accountability to an organisation responsible for managing critical land and resources, I faced a process riddled with bias and conflicts of interest.

Additionally, when I ran as a candidate in the 2024 NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) elections, I encountered further barriers that included new candidates like myself being actively blocked from engaging with voters.

So how can the Australian Government claim to support Indigenous self-determination when Indigenous voices are excluded from their own governance structures?

Closing the Gap? Don’t Bet on It

Every year, the government releases its Closing the Gap reports, claiming progress in Indigenous affairs

But mostly every time, these reports highlight worsening disparities in employment, health and education (the complete opposite of what the government's PR team are pushing).

So despite Labor’s propaganda about its commitment to Indigenous advancement, I would bet my life savings (which isn’t much, to be fair) that the next Closing the Gap report will criticise the government’s failure to deliver tangible outcomes.

Because real progress won’t come from political appointments or bureaucratic gatekeeping...

But it will come from allowing Indigenous communities to lead, free from interference and favouritism.

Thus, we need transparency, independent oversight and voting rights expansion to ensure our governance structures reflect the voices of our people - not the political interests of a select few.

And if the government is serious about Closing the Gap, it’s time to stop playing favourites and start backing the best people for the job.