Local Bundjalung woman and CEO of Australia’s only independent print national Indigenous newspaper, the Koori Mail, Naomi Moran, has been appointed as one of the three commissioners to lead a process with Aboriginal people and communities across NSW about their desire for a treaty process by the NSW Government.

Ms Moran will be joined by former senator Aden Ridgeway, a former St John's College, Woodlawn student and academic Todd Fernando.

The commissioners will lead a 12-month consultation to hear from Aboriginal people. This will include asking whether Aboriginal communities want an agreement-making process with government, and if so, what form that process could take.

NSW is home to the largest Aboriginal population in Australia. The commissioners will engage with Aboriginal communities across metropolitan, rural, regional and remote parts of NSW, before delivering a report on their findings to the Government.

The appointees bring with them experience, expertise and connections to Aboriginal people and communities.

The commissioners have been appointed for a fixed term of two years following an open, competitive process led by an independent Aboriginal advisory panel.

Consultation about agreement-making aligns directly with NSW’s bipartisan commitment to the 2020 Closing the Gap National Agreement, which was signed by then-prime minister Scott Morrison and then-premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The Closing the Gap Agreement includes a commitment to formal partnerships and shared decision-making with Aboriginal people to help close the gap faster in areas such as life expectancy, health and education.

Over the coming months, the commissioners will develop a detailed consultation plan, with consultations to commence in 2025.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has welcomed the appointments.

“I congratulate Koori Mail CEO Naomi Moran on being appointed as one of the three commissioners, along with former senator Aden Ridgeway and academic Todd Fernando.

“This is a strong panel of leaders, and in particular, I welcome the appointment of Ms Moran, who has shown her strong community leadership as CEO of the Koori Mail newspaper and its remarkable flood recovery effort.

“Naomi is known for her strong advocacy for Aboriginal communities and her support for indigenous youth programs. Our community is indebted to her for her service and passion. 

”Naomi will bring her leadership, passion, communication skills and strong advocacy for the Aboriginal community to the role of commissioner.

“Former Senator Aden Ridgeway also has local connections, as a former student of St John’s College, Woodlawn.

The NSW Government allocated $5 million for this work in the September 2023 budget.