Northern Australia—Indigenous Reference Group

Improving the prosperity of First Nations peoples and communities is central to the success of the northern Australia agenda, and aligns with the Australian Government's commitment to Closing the Gap.

The Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group advises the Minister for Northern Australia and the Minister for Indigenous Australians on practical actions to enhance the economic and social prosperity of First Nations peoples in northern Australia.

The current Indigenous Reference Group members were appointed on 17 July 2025.

Indigenous Reference Group members

Professor Martin Nakata, IRG Chair
Mr Troy Fraser
Ms Ninielia Mills
Ms Flora Warrior
Mr Damien Djerrkura
Ms Alinta McGuire

Communiqués

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Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group Communiqué—August 2024 (140.69 KB)
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Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group Communiqué—May 2024 (114.75 KB)
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Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group Communiqué—March 2024 (114.87 KB)
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Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group Communiqué—October 2023 (117.13 KB)
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Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group Communiqué—July 2023 (166.7 KB)
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Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group Communiqué—May 2023 (135.68 KB)
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Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group Communiqué—March 2023 (121.96 KB)
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Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group Communiqué—February 2022 (457.73 KB)

Submissions

2026

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IRG submission—Inquiry into preparing for emerging industries across northern Australia (360.64 KB)
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IRG Submission - First Nations Education Policy Consultation (416.34 KB)
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IRG Submission - Future Made in Australia Community Benefits Principles Consultation (424.38 KB)

2025

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IRG Submission - National Research Infrastructure Roadmap (305.78 KB)

2024

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IRG Submission - Independent Review of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act 2016 Discussion Paper (392.26 KB)
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IRG Submission—Cost of Living (451.77 KB)
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IRG Submission - National Indigenous Australians Agency's Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) Reform Discussion Paper (342.93 KB)
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IRG Submission—Economic Self-Determination and Opportunities for First Nations Australians (445.57 KB)
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IRG Submission - Coalition of Peaks and the Department of Treasury on the Development of a First Nations Economic Partnership (318.92 KB)
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IRG Submission—Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program Discussion Paper (301.02 KB)

2023

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IRG Submission—Regional Connectivity, Draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines (311.4 KB)
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IRG Submission—Jobs and Skills Discussion Paper (291.25 KB)

2022

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IRG Submission—Employment White Paper (293.24 KB)
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IRG Submission—Northern Australia's Workforce Development (731.99 KB)
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IRG Submission—Australia's Disaster Resilience (370.2 KB)
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IRG Submission—Justice Reinvestment Program (466.99 KB)
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IRG Submission—Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation Program—Grant Opportunity Guidelines (280.12 KB)
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IRG Submission—Severe Weather Events in the National Regional, Rural, and Remote Road Networks (394.79 KB)
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IRG Supplementary Submission—Severe Weather Events in the National Regional, Rural, and Remote Road Networks (286.1 KB)
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IRG Submission—Data and Digital Government Strategy (268.18 KB)
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IRG Submission—Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding (317.35 KB)
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IRG Submission—Alternative Commonwealth Capabilities for Crisis Response (351.89 KB)