ANTaR has today welcomed the establishment of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples as a significant development.

The National Congress is expected to provide an independent, national Indigenous voice on key policy issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

'Indigenous participation in decisions which affect Indigenous lives and communities is critical to closing the gap of Indigenous disadvantage and to the development of policies which respect human rights' said Janet Hunt, ANTaR President.

'The launch of the National Congress comes after five years without a national Indigenous representative body. The establishment of a new body is an important step in resetting the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.' Ms Hunt said.

ANTaR welcomes the National Congress' commitment to gender equity, with equal representation of men and women on the National Executive.

'I congratulate the inaugural Co-Chairs, Dr Kerry Arabena and Mr Sam Jeffries on their appointment' Ms Hunt said.

ANTaR is the pre-eminent non-Indigenous national advocacy organisation dedicated specifically to the rights - and overcoming the disadvantage - of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Media contact: Janet Hunt – 0408170448