A partnership approach between the Australian Electoral Commission and First Nations communities is leading change by connecting people with culturally safe voting information and opportunities.
The Australian Electoral Commission’s Indigenous Electoral Participation Program (IEPP), takes a community-led approach by partnering with organisations that hold local cultural knowledge, helping First Nations people understand how to enrol and vote, and creating pathways into the AEC’s election workforce.
As a trusted organisation Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation has long been committed to empowering First Nations communities in the Pilbara region. Their partnership with the IEPP reflects the organisation’s dedication to ensuring First Nations people are informed, included, and respected in civic life.
Daniel Brown from Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation says that the approach is unique and important.
“The way the IEPP and the AEC is doing this work is special. No one else is doing it like you are, and it is brave what your team is doing. And it is paying off. It’s respectful and we can feel the AEC's genuine commitment and care for our Indigenous communities,”
Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation is one of 50 organisations that have partnered with the AEC to deliver voting information in ways that resonate with local communities. The Indigenous Electoral Participation Program (IEPP) is an initiative of the Australian Electoral Commission aimed at expanding the franchise for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It takes a community-led approach by partnering with organisations that hold local cultural knowledge, helping First Nations people understand how to enrol and vote, and creating pathways into the AEC’s election workforce.
The AEC works together with partners to create a workplan that reflects the community, Daniel said.
“This could be, for example, learning about electoral processes through the arts, dance, or music. In this way, decision making about how to encourage electoral participation is shared between the AEC and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities themselves,”
The IEPP has contributed to increased electoral participation, enhanced cultural safety at polling places, and meaningful employment for Indigenous Australians. The IEPP’s shift to longer-term, flexible agreements and culturally tailored documentation has strengthened Indigenous-led participation and ownership. These outcomes align with the Closing the Gap vision of empowered Indigenous governance and improved service delivery.
The IEPP is a powerful example of how community-led partnerships can transform civic engagement. Through respectful collaboration and culturally safe practices, it is helping build a democracy where First Nations people are participating and being heard. It’s more than a voting project, Daniel said.
“We’re not just helping people vote—we’re helping them see that their voice matters,”
The IEPP Program contributes to Closing the Gap Outcome 17 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to information and services enabling participation informed decision-making regarding their own lives.
Find out more about the AEC’s Indigenous Participation Program here: www.aec.gov.au/Indigenous
Caption: The Ngarliyarndu Bindirri team