Emeritus Professor Paul Hughes will chair a group of Indigenous education experts who will advise the Gillard Government on the best ways to close the gap in educational outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and other students.

The First Peoples Education Advisory Group held its first meeting with School Education Minister Peter Garrett in Canberra this week.

The group includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives from academia, school education, early childhood education and community organisations, Mr Garrett said.

“Our meeting was an important step in the process of improving the education opportunities and results of our young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Garrett said.

“This is a highly experienced group that will provide expert advice to me on all areas of Australian Government policy relating to the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

“It’s also the first time in more than 20 years that an advisory body such as this has been established by a Federal Education Minister, and I look forward to working with the group and receiving its advice.”

The members are:

• Chair: Emeritus Professor Paul Hughes AM, FACE, David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research;
• Professor Mark Rose, PhD, M Ed Admin, BA, Dip T, Chair, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Institute of Koori Education, Deakin University;
• Dr Kaye Price, PhD, M Ed, B Ed, Dip Teach, FACE, Aboriginal Education Consultant and lecturer in education, Centre for Australian Indigenous Knowledges, University of Southern Queensland;
• Ms Judith Ketchell, Executive Principal of Tagai State College Thursday Island;
• Professor Steve Larkin, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership, Charles Darwin University and Chairperson of the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council;
• Professor Muriel Bamblett, AM, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency;
• Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney PhD, MACE, Dean and Professor of Aboriginal Education, University of Adelaide;
• Professor Peter Buckskin, PSM, FACE, Chairperson of the SA Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Body and Dean, David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research;
• Ms Dyonne Anderson, Chair, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Principals’ Association;
• Ms Cindy Berwick, President, NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group;
• Ms Donna Bridge, Principal, Fitzroy Valley Primary School, WA; and
• Ms Carol Garlett, Chairperson, Western Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Council.

“Professor Hughes comes from a strong background of both teaching and policy-making, and as a consultant and researcher on Indigenous education issues worldwide,” Mr Garrett said.

“This group’s deep understanding of the broader issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s education outcomes will help us deliver better results for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, which we are strongly committed to.”

Members of the First Peoples Education Advisory Group have been appointed for a three year term.