Membership – The Outback Alliance
Objectives
- To provide an effective voice to raise awareness of the unique issues impacting and opportunities available to Outback Australia
- To Identify key areas of influence
- To develop a set of “Outback Policy Principles and Protocols” and implement them across the full spectrum of public policy and programs.
- To establish understanding and support from politicians, bureaucrats and the broader communities for remote Australia
Outcomes
The Outback Alliance members aim to provide:
- An effective forum to continue to drive the policy frameworks to achieve an equitable future for Outback Australia;
- Government and the Australian community recognition for the need to have, and engage in wide ranging cross sectorial discussions on the systemic challenges facing Outback Australia;
- A high-level understanding and acceptance of the systemic challenges facing Outback Australia;
- A high-level understanding and acceptance of what is needed to address existing policy framework failings;
- An effective forum to continue to drive the policy framework required to achieve a fair and equitable future for Outback Australia;
- “Outback Policy Principles and Protocols” embedded into policy development in government processes.
Vision
A thriving Outback Australia, for the people and the land, that contributes visibly to the wellbeing of the nation.
Principles
- Connection to Country: Recognition of the Outback as a place of belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
- Environment: An ecologically robust Outback that sustains and supports nature.
- Health: healthy outback communities that have access to the services they need.
- Land-Based Livelihoods: Resilient Outback land managers delivering positive outcomes for Australia
- Economic Development: Integrated and thoughtful policy adjustments that enable the Outback to better contribute to the Australian economy.
- Digital Inclusion: Improved connectivity and digital inclusion to engage and strengthen Outback communities
- Inclusiveness: All people especially those who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of minority groups.
- Partnership: work with others in a spirit cooperation and collaboration
- Sustainable development: economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.
Governance
- The Steering Committee (SC) will be the governing body that will drive the work of the Alliance.
- Member organisations will select/nominate a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 volunteer members for the Steering Committee.
- SC members will have the ability to commit and contribute to the work of the Alliance.
- As the Alliance grows and develops SC will be chosen via nomination and vote from members and affiliates. A more formal governance structure and processes will be established only when this is needed.
- The SC will meet regularly – up to 8 meetings annually – approximately every 6 weeks
The Steering committee will:
- Determine the focus of the Alliance
- Drive action
- Manage finances
- Manage secretariat
- Present on behalf of members
- Determine and record SC agendas, papers and minutes
- Provide Secretariat reports
- Develop strategic and operational plans
- Manage membership, including recruitment and mechanisms for approving/not approving members.
Membership
- Members represent organisations which operate in the best interest of Outback Australia or/and are individuals who have a passion and interest in the welfare of Outback Australia.
- Our membership will reflect the breath and diversity of outback Australia and represent the different sectors/interests of the Alliance, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, environment, health and business organisations.
- Members may be: Paying member; non-paying member; sponsor; or a partner (see table below).
- New members will be recruited to ensure that the membership base reflects the policy priorities of the Alliance.
- The Outback Alliance will aim to increase its membership by 2-3 members per year.
Download a copy of the membership document here: Outback Alliance Membership Application Form 2020