Geoscience Australia establishes inaugural First Nations Advisory Group

Geoscience Australia, the Commonwealth’s geographic and geological data agency, has established its inaugural First Nations Advisory Group. The group is designed to inform decision-making and strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

CEO Melissa Harris stated that the group is an integral part of the agency’s efforts to ensure priority programs and projects deliver effective outcomes for First Nations communities. The initiative aims to foster collaborative opportunities and support self-determination by incorporating the voices, knowledge, and lived experiences of Australia’s First Peoples into geoscientific research.

The inaugural membership includes Dennis Ah-Kee, Mitchell Baum, Sharon Cavanagh-Luskin, Craig Molyneux, Kado Muir, Michael O’Keefe, Amy Rust, and Professor Deen Sanders OAM. The group will meet at least twice a year, either in-person or online.