Participation and representation in ATSIC elections: A 10 year perspective

This paper examines participation and representation in ATSIC elections ove r the 10 year period since 1990. It attempts to identify patterns of partic ipation and representation that seem to be emerging and what these might su ggest about ATSIC's operation. By examining numbers of nominees compared to positions available, the paper suggests that ATSIC elected office has been fairly keenly and consistently sought and competed for by Indigenous peopl e, though there may have been some slight initial reticence in the 1990 ele ctions. By examining voter numbers and voter turnout, the paper suggests th at voter participation nation-wide rose slightly from 1990 to 1996 and then largely stabilised in 1999. It also suggests that there have been signific ant variations from this national pattern at State and Territory levels and it explores some reasons for this. The paper also examines voter numbers a nd voter turnout at the ATSIC regional level since 1993 and finds that ther e has been much higher voter turnout in the sparsely settled regions of nor thern Australia and much lower voter turnout in the southern and urban area s. This is explained in terms of ATSIC program and expenditure priorities a nd in terms of polling place access. The final two sections of the paper ex amine the representation of women and Torres Strait Islanders among ATSIC e lected representatives. Both are seen as significant issues which should be of some ongoing concern within ATSIC, alongside the issue of the southern/ northern difference in voter participation.