Port douglas: Over 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in Australia are advocating for the establishment of a new national representative body following the unsuccessful 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Council of First Nations convened a three-day meeting in Port Douglas, a coastal town in Queensland. During this gathering, participants conveyed their support for the creation of a national representative body led by Traditional Owners. This initiative aims to offer a more robust national voice for First Nations people.

The proposal, however, faced criticism as some attendees felt the meeting was predominantly influenced by government-recognized native title bodies and Aboriginal Land Councils, potentially sidelining broader grassroots voices. Richie Ah Mat, acting CEO of the Cape York Land Council, highlighted that most participants were from these government-recognized entities.

Moving forward, delegates will return to their communities to gather feedback on the proposal. Details regarding funding and membership structures are yet to be finalized. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, known as the "First Peoples of Australia," have inhabited the continent for over 65,000 years.

In 2023, a majority of Australians voted against a referendum intended to recognize the role of Aboriginal minorities in the Constitution. This proposed "Voice to Parliament" would have, for the first time, granted a constitutional right to advise parliament on policies affecting it.