Wantok 2014 is significant in that it represents 39 years since the first national conference was held in Mackay in 1975. It is also as reminder to the Commonwealth of a community that has achieved much in recognition for our forefathers, foremothers and their descendants, stemming back to 1901 when a Mackay-based Pacific Islanders Association was established with branches in other areas.

In 1906 two members of the Association voyaged to Melbourne to have interviews with Prime Minister Deakin, and wrote to Winston Churchill, British Secretary of State. Two hundred Mackay Islanders also attended a meeting to plan tactics at the 1906 Royal Commission, which saw the Pacific Islanders Act amended to allow certain categories of ASSI to stay in Australia.

The former acting President of the Secretariat Board of Directors – Chief Dennis Bobongie has advised the national board of the imperative need to properly address the points 1 to 5 which will be discussed further at the boards convenience to meet.

Wantok Brisbane 2013 was indeed one of the most robust and heavily debated workshops delivered which saw the better part of the ASSI community not in attendance. Many of those who did participate had travelled long distances from across the nation and the Pacific engaged effectively in a much needed, and straight forward debate which resulted in a vote of YES (by show of hands) to proceed with the national body model that was presented to the community, the nomination of delegates and the election process.

Wantok Brisbane saw registrations from 245 participants whose attendance varied greatly over the three days due to peoples work commitments and travelling distances.

The vote to proceed with the election count (by show of hands) was 58 YES / in favour and 32 NO / against. Those in the room who were not of ASSI descent abstained from voting. Although 32 ASSI people voted against moving forward with the elections a number of these people stayed on to participate in further dialog and the election process, which was commendable.

Nominated groups to be elected as the National Secretariat were (by show of hands) 1. Bundaberg 28 votes 2. Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) 42 votes and those not of ASSI descent abstained from voting.

Community membership registrations to date for the National Secretariat collated at Wantok national workshops saw Brisbane 234 Tweed Heads 119 registered members.

The ASSI.PJ would like to take this opportunity to thank dignitaries, community leaders who attended and our international families and community organisations.

Wantok Mackay 2014 will revisit, assess and debate the following criteria:

1. Consider the restructure of the board to ensure that there is no over representation from region organisations or clans. All board members should be appropriately nominated from their regions and meet the requirement of their organisations constitution and government accreditation.

2. Elect to the Board, qualified leaders from highly populated regions that at this stage are not represented as well as an Ethics Council of standing.

3. Re-elect the National Secretariat (administration body). This would give other compliant and accomplished ASSI organisations apart from ASSI.PJ the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities in being elected.

4. Adopt a currently DRAFTED constitution (presented at Mackay Conference) or develop/draft a new constitution. When the constitution is adopted at a this conference or a future conference and the national body is registered with ASIC a final conference can be held for Registered Member organization/regions to elect a new board and appoint an Auditor.

5. The elections to be conducted through a secret ballot.

To date, personally I have been engaged in a significant number of phone consultations with respected leaders from our community who have been empathetic, straight forward and respectful in assisting with advice/strategies on how to best unite our communities for the greater good.

As a united community we can aim to address the lack of national representation from some of our largest and significant regions in north Queensland and other state representation.

As a National Body we can address the most recent critical matter of the Queensland Government cancellation of the ASSI Scholarships for 2014 and the inclusion of ASSI History in the national curriculum, which is being addressed at this current time. The National Secretariat has initiated investigations in both these areas of need and concern for our communities.

It is imperative that the current board reflect rightful and just ASSI community representation by committed leaders of Australian South Sea Islander compliant organisations that demonstrate a level of commitment and proficiency.

We invite and encourage everyone to participate in a democratic and respectful dialogue to address our community representation.

As stated by myself at Wantok Brisbane we hope that our community can appreciate what we have strived for in continuing the critical administration and consultation work in progressing the ASSI agenda and what ever happens we will continue to work in solidarity with our community in seeing a true reflection and sustainable national representative body established for our generation and the future.

WANTOK MACKAY 2014 FINDINGS:

This interim report of the facilitator of Wantok 2014 (Mackay) regarding the further development of National Australian South Sea Islander Governance (“NASSIG”) process has been prepared for the benefit of delegates attending Wantok 2014 (Mackay), NASSIG Work Group members, NASSIG Work Group Administration, and Australian South Sea Islanders who were unable to attend Wantok 2014.

The report’s aim is to provide the key decisions made at Wantok 2014, together with a comprehensive description of the circumstances in which they were made. These decisions are contained in two unanimous resolutions adopted by Wantok 2014, namely, to dissolve the Wantok 2013 Governance Model and set up the NASSIG Work Group and the NASSIG Work Group Administration.

The report provides an Executive Summary of the combined effect of both of these Unanimous Resolutions and then sets out:

• The final text of the two resolutions.
• The process under which each resolution was adopted.
• Further commentary by the facilitator providing greater clarity as to the meaning of the terms of the NASSIG Work Group Resolution and its effect, distilled from the resolution into a more readily understandable form.
• Some suggestions for consideration regarding processes to realise the intents of the resolutions.

Also provided are two motions that contributed to the Day 3 Resolution together with a quick easy-to-understand information guide to the two significant Unanimous Resolutions of Wantok 2014 (Mackay) and a copy of the Wantok’s debating rules which can be found in the ASSI.PJ website information pack.

The report endeavours to be full and frank in meeting the important requirements of good community governance:

• Openness
• Transparency
• Accountability

The facilitator has held in mind the following guiding principles:

1. To ensure that the Wantok is conducted in an orderly, consistent and efficient manner and according to the principles of procedural fairness and due process.
2. To ensure that all participants have an equal opportunity to participate in the Wantok to the fullest extent possible with respect being accorded to the expression of differing views.
3. To ensure that all participants fully understand their rights and obligations as participants in the Wantok; and
4. To ensure that proceedings are transparent and understandable to all persons participating in and observing the Wantok.

1.1 On the pathway to an incorporated National ASSI organisation

On the pathway towards an incorporated National ASSI organisation, it will be of continuing value to hold in mind two distinct recurring themes of the Wantok:

• The untenable position of oppressed persons who loudly demand relief from oppression, but who then turn around and oppress others; and
• Fighting within and amongst minority groups is exactly what political elites wish – then they don’t have to pay the minorities any attention

To allow for civil discussions and debates during the course of Wantok 2014, delegates were requested to be mindful and courteous in their interactions with each other by showing:

• Kindness
• Respect
• Joy
• Mercy and
• Courage

In speaking and acting for the benefit of ASSI communities and the Greater Good.

Delegates were also requested to “Play the Ball and not the Person” and not engage in the logical fallacy of ad hominem attacks.

In going forward to realise the collective aspirations of Australian South Sea Islanders for a national organisation within the requested six month timeframe, holding these principles foremost in mind will be invaluable in building upon the community healing which commenced during Wantok 2014 (Mackay). Remembering those who actively listen and come together to act with goodwill can achieve much.

1.2 Acknowledgements

The facilitator commends the work of the delegates in achieving by consensus two significant Unanimous Resolutions, and acknowledges the dedicated hard work of ASS.PJ and Mackay ASSI communities in providing such a successful conference.

He thanks his co-facilitators Darren Fittler, Robyn Watego, Melina Fakatava, Emelda Davis, Graham Mooney, Robert Watego, Graham Tanner and Professor Clive Moore and Forum Scribe, Dianna Robinson.

Dr Gracelyn Smallwood AO and Professor Clive Moore are thanked for their unique contributions to the success of the Wantok’s program.

The facilitator also acknowledges the wisdom of ASSI Elders and is grateful for the support of those particular Aunts, Uncles and community leaders who generously shared their knowledge and provided cultural advice.

It is also important for the facilitator to acknowledge and thank friends and colleagues who provided advice and support in the lead up to, during and following Wantok 2014 (Mackay).

1.3 Disclaimer – The findings of the documentation produced belong to the Australian South Sea Islander community to be utilised as they see fit in furthering their cause.

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Executive Summary is a distillation of the key decisions made by delegates to Wantok 2014 (Mackay). These decisions are contained in two Unanimous Resolutions, being Day 1, Session6: Resolution: A Pathway to an Incorporated Association and Day 3, Resolution: Work Group to further develop a governance model and constitution for a National ASSI body.

The Wantok 2013 National Model

1. The Wantok 2013 National Model declared null and void, including dissolving the “Secretariat Board of Directors” also known as “National ASSI Board of Directors” and the “National ASSI Secretariat” also known as “National ASSI Interim Secretariat”

2. Acknowledged the valuable work already undertaken at Wantok 2012 (Bundaberg), Wantok 2013 (Brisbane) and other community consultations will contribute to the further development of an appropriate governance model.

Key Elements of a National ASSI Governance Structure

3. An incorporated company limited by guarantee should be formed to realise the ASSI communities’ aspirations for a national representative body.

4. There is a need to develp a national body to represent Australian South Sea Islanders that, amongst other things, should:

Provide a coherent national voice for Australian South Sea Islanders while recognising community diversity and local interests;

Engage from across the nation as many ASSI people, organisations and community groups to participate in the decision making process;

Acknowledge, accept and share the wisdom of Elders;

Engage and nurture the involvement of established community organisations;

Develop innovative strategies to encourage direct engagement and retain involvement of ASSI youth (under 33’s);

Assist with the sustainability and cohesion of state, regional and local ASSI organisations.

National Register of ASSI Elders

5. Noted the enthusiastic support at Wantok 2014 for the development of a National Register of ASSI Elders and that such a register be provided for in the Constitution of an incorporated National ASSI Body

Pathway to an Incorporated National Body

6. A Work Group be appointed to further develop a governance model and constitution for a National ASSI body (“National Australian South Sea Islander Governance Work Group” or “NASSIG Work Group”)

7. The NASSIG Work Group is to develop a governance model and constitution for a National ASSI Organisation (and is restricted to this brief).

Membership of the NASSIG Work Group

8. Through a consensus process the following persons were appointed to the NASSIG Work Group:

• Emelda Davis;
• Dennis Bobongie;
• Dallas Fewquandie;
• Jennifer Darr;
• Christine Monday; and
• Mable Quakawoot

9. The NASSIG Work Group, if necessary, to co-opt persons with the necessary skills and talents to further the work of the group.

Activities of the NASSIG Work Group

10. The NASSIG Work Group to:

Further refine and develop the national governance model arising from the work undertaken at Wantok 2012, Wantok 2013 and Wantok 2014 and at other community consultations;

Distribute and circulate widely within Australia’s ASSI communities a Constitution for the establishment of an incorporated National ASSI Body that will coexist with existing community organisations, together with any necessary explanatory memoranda;

Call for potential members of a National ASSI Body and nominations for election to the National ASSI Body’s decision making body; and

Decide who will conduct the conference at which the resulting Constitution is adopted and the first election to the National ASSI Body’s decision making body is held.

11. Together with the NASSI Work Group Administration, the NASSI Work Group is to within six months:

• 120 days prior to the day on which it is proposed that a Constitution for an incorporated National ASSI Body be adopted, circulate a draft Constitution to Friends of NASSI seeking comment together with notice of date and venue of meeting
• 90 days prior to the day of the meeting, close the “comment period’ and consider submissions;
• 30 days prior to the day of the meeting, circulate final draft Constitution, motions and papers; and
• Conduct an election process for the National ASSI Body’s decision making body as set out in the draft Constitution which, depending on the final governance structure and resulting notice periods, may be at a date after the day on which the Constitution is adopted.

NASSIG Work Group Administration

12. Through a consensus process the meeting appointed Mackay and Region Aboriginal and Islander’s Development Association ABN: 323094705973 Incorporation number: IA37442 (Queensland Associations Incorporation Act 1981) (“MARABISDA”) to act as the NASSIG Work Group Administration by:

Providing administrative support to the NASSIG Work Group;

Greg Sutherland being a member of the NASSIG Work Group and Chair [NB: Sutherland gave certain undertakings to the meeting which are provided in greater detail in Sections 6 and 7.2 of the final report];

Keeping and maintaining a ‘trust account’ for any monies received for the operation of the NASSIG Work Group;

Continuing advocacy work with government that is already in progress; and

Assisting in the delivery of the conference to adopt the National ASSI Body’s Constitution

13. Together with the NASSI Work Group, the ANSSI Work Group Administration is to within six months:

• 120 days prior to the day on which it is proposed that a Constitution for an incorporated National ASSI Body be adopted, circulate a draft Constitution to Friends of NASSI seeking comment together with notice of date and venue of meeting
• 90 days prior to the day of the meeting, close the “comment period’ and consider submissions;
• 30 days prior to the day of the meeting, circulate final draft Constitution, motions and papers; and
• Conduct an election process for the National ASSI Body’s decision making body as set out in the draft Constitution which, depending on the final governance structure and resulting notice periods, may be at a date after the day on which the Constitution is adopted.

Friends of NASSI

15. A Friend of NASSI be ASSI identifying and identified (a current member of an ASSI organisation)

16. The Friends of NASSI list form the basis for the initial intake of members into the National ASSI Body, and those on the list be entitled to:

• Receive and comment on a draft National ASSI Body Constitution
• Receive notices and papers for the conference to adopt the National ASSI Body’s Constitution; and
• Vote on final draft Constitution and in the first election of the National ASSI Body.

17. Acknowledged that the Wantok Lists of those persons who have expressed interest in participating in a National ASSI organisation held by Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) are covered by privacy legislation and cannot be provided to a third party without consent and Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) has indicated it will assist in facilitating the issuing of invitations to join Friends of NASSI via these Wantok Lists.