NOT MY VOICE, page-6

Bob Hawke’s equivalent VOICE
He foresaw possible problems and avoided putting anything in the Constitution.

So, what was the nature of ATSIC and did it provide an effective channel for Indigenous representation? The Australian Government, led by Bob Hawke, formed ATSIC in 1990 after it abolished its predecessor, the National Aboriginal Conference, due to its antagonistic relations with the Government. At the time, the Government viewed ATSIC as an effective mechanism for self-determination as it combined representative and executive roles. Its governance structure was made up of thirty five regional councils (with over 400 councillors), the ATSIC Board (comprising 18 zone commissioners), and the Chair who was elected after 1999. It was backed by an administrative machine of several hundred public servants who were involved in research and service delivery. ATSIC's functions were to advise Governments at all levels; provide peak national and international advocacy for Australian Indigenous affairs, and deliver and monitor Indigenous programs and services.