Issue 1: Nomination of Aboriginal and Dual Name Proposals

There was a general view expressed across non-Aboriginal submissions that a revised Aboriginal and Dual Naming Policy should allow both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations, local council, or individuals to nominate an Aboriginal or dual name directly to the Nomenclature Board; however Aboriginal community responses did not indicate a preferred approach. Most submissions also supported improved consultation and engagement provisions with regional Aboriginal communities and groups.

Question 1.1: Should a revised Aboriginal and Dual Naming Policy allow both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations, local council, or individuals to nominate an Aboriginal or dual name directly to the Nomenclature Board?

Eight submissions responded to this question, with seven of them supporting the notion of expanding the criteria for nominating Aboriginal and dual names to other Aboriginal organisations, non-Aboriginal Tasmanians and local councils - in contrast to the current Policy’s provision for name proposals to be submitted by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (TAC) only. None of the Aboriginal community organisation submissions indicated a preferred position on this question.

While there was broad non-Aboriginal support for this change, strong themes emerged around the administrative requirements to support such changes. For example, one respondent proposed that the nomination process should be ‘open to anyone, so long as the assessment process is transparent and adheres to robust guidelines for research, authenticity, consultation and general community acceptance’ . Another respondent cited a preference for the continuation of ‘one Aboriginal organisation or board such as the TAC responsible for ensuring that the expansion of Aboriginal and dual naming continues to be consistent with historical integrity and clear strategic goals for recognition of and respect for Aboriginal Tasmanian heritage’ .

Another non-Aboriginal respondent noted that opening the nomination process to non-Aboriginal Tasmanians ‘would provide a significant opportunity to advance reconciliation in our State. ‘Such nominations may also assist in progressing broader public conversations about what the non-Aboriginal community can do to advance the goals and aspirations of Tasmanian Aboriginal people’ .

Eight submissions identified a need for improved consultation and engagement with Aboriginal organisations and groups, particularly those in regional areas . Two respondents suggested that local ‘Aboriginal communities be consulted through the regional / local organisations before any approach is made to the Nomenclature Board’ .

The one submission not in support of the question detailed a concern that ‘the disadvantage of this approach would be that an overall strategy for building respect and recognition for Aboriginal Tasmanians could easily be disrupted by well-meant initiatives which unintentionally distract from deeper themes and recognition such as careful acknowledgement of Aboriginal care for country and ecology’ .

Four of the five local government submissions agreed that nominations for Aboriginal and dual names should be able to be received from Aboriginal, and non-Aboriginal groups and individuals, including local councils .