The NTER consultations were delivered through a comprehensive four-tiered approach involving:
- Government Business Managers (GBMs) and Indigenous Engagement Officers (IEOs)
- senior officers from Indigenous Coordination Centres (ICCs) and FaHCSIA's Northern Territory State Office, and
- senior officers from the Department's National Office.
Tier 1
Tier 1 comprised a series of consultations within each of the NTER communities. These consultations were conducted by the GBMs and IEOs serving these communities. Tier 1 consultations were targeted at individuals and interest groups in each community e.g. men, women, young people, community-based organisations, families and clan and language groups.
The purpose of these consultations was to:
- explain the Government's consultation process
- explain the progress made by the NTER to date
- explain the Government's position on the NTER, and in particular its position on each of the specific measures covered in the Future Directions discussion paper
- seek feedback on the Government's position, on what's working well and on what changes community people are seeking.
The Tier 1 community consultations commenced in early June and ended in late August 2009.
People attending Tier 1 consultations were encouraged to attend the Tier 2 consultations.
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Tier 2
Tier 2 comprised a series of one-off workshops in each of the NTER communities (some of the smaller communities were clustered for this purpose). These were delivered by ICC senior officers with the aid of the Aboriginal Interpreter Service of the Northern Territory.
The purpose of these consultations was to:
- explain the Government's current position on the NTER, and in particular its position on the specific measures covered in the Future Directions discussion paper
- provide participants with an opportunity to explore and discuss each of the specific measures in detail
- enable participants to provide feedback on the Government's position, on what's working well and on any changes people are seeking.
These scheduled public meetings, open to all community members, took place at the locations and dates set out in the community visits/meetings schedule.
Indigenous people interested in exploring the Government's position in greater detail were encouraged to register for a regional workshop (Tier 3).
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Tier 3
Tier 3 comprised a series of two to three day regional workshops for community people from prescribed areas as well as Indigenous leaders in a particular region. People with a diverse range of views were encouraged to nominate for these workshops, conducted by senior staff from FaHCSIA's Indigenous Leadership and Engagement Group.
Their purpose was to:
- explain the Government's current position on the NTER and in particular its position on the specific measures covered in the Future Directions discussion paper
- provide participants with an opportunity to workshop the specific measures in greater detail than in Tier 1 or Tier 2 consultations
- enable participants to provide feedback on the Government's position as well as on what's working well and what changes people are seeking.
Tier 3 workshops were held in:
| Location | Date of workshop |
|---|---|
| Tennant Creek | 30 June-2 July 2009 |
| Alice Springs | 14-16 July 2009 |
| Darwin | 4-5 August 2009 |
| Katherine | 11-12 August 2009 |
| Nhunlunbuy | 18-19 August 2009 |
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Tier 4
Tier 4 comprised major stakeholder workshops involving Indigenous organisations in the Northern Territory as well as the Northern Territory Indigenous Affairs Advisory Council. These workshops were similar in format to the Tier 3 workshops.
Tier 4 workshops were held in:
- Darwin: 18 June 2009 (Indigenous Affairs Advisory Council)
- Alice Springs: 21-23 July 2009
- Darwin: 6-7 August 2009
- Katherine: 13-14 August 2009
- Nhulunbuy: 20-21 August 2009.