FED: ATSIC s new chair says govt will find him radical

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-1999
FED: ATSIC s new chair says govt will find him radical

ATSIC's new chairman, GEOFF CLARK, says the government will find his leadership more
radical than that of his predecessor.

Mr CLARK, who's taken over from GATJIL DJERRKURA as head of Australia's peak indigenous
agency, has flagged land rights as his top priority.

The former heavy-weight boxer is regarded as a compromise between the only other candidates,
government-appointed incumbent Mr DJERRKURA and high-profile Sydney activist CHARLES PERKINS.

The ATSIC board carried a motion of unanimous support for their first elected chairman,
following his surprise victory by secret ballot.

The ginger-haired Victorian has headed off criticisms that his paler skin makes him
any less indigenous than his predecessor - a traditional East Arnhem Land Aboriginal elder.

Mr CLARK says Aborigines are one people. The former ATSIC commissioner for native title
has described his election as a defining moment in indigenous affairs.

He says his priority is to return land to indigenous people.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister JOHN HERRON says he looks forward to working with the predominantly
new ATSIC board on improved social and economic outcomes.

AAP RTV rmg/mfh/kbw/jn/ab/smf

KEYWORD: ATSIC (CANBERRA)

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