Members of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress have endorsed a change to the organisation's rulebook which strengthens its stance against domestic and family violence.
The amendment, approved by a membership vote earlier this year, introduces new eligibility requirements for serving as a director on the Congress Board.
Under the advised rules, any person who has a domestic and family violence conviction recorded in the past 10 years, or has had a Domestic Violence Order issued against them within the previous five years, is ineligible to serve as a director.
The constitutional change reflects the collective voice of Congress members, who have chosen to strengthen the organisation's governance in a way which aligns with the values it promotes across the communities it serves.
Congress Director Ebony Abbott-McCormack said the vote demonstrated the strength of Aboriginal community control and the important role members play in shaping the future of their organisation.
"Congress members have exercised their power as members of an Aboriginal community-controlled health service to deliver a strong message about domestic and family violence," Ms Abbott-McCormack said.
"As a powerful advocate against domestic and family violence, and a service that provides care for people impacted by it, Congress must be strong and consistent with its messaging, including about who leads the organisation."
Ms Abbott-McCormack said the decision belonged to the membership and reflected the expectations Aboriginal communities have of their leaders.
"As an Aboriginal community-controlled service, this was a matter for members to decide, and the corporation members have said loudly that they do not tolerate domestic and family violence," she said.
"We thank them for their leadership and direction."
The move comes as Congress strengthens its commitment to broader national action. The organisation is in the process of joining Our Ways Strong Together, the newly established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Peak Body for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.
The peak body has been established to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices lead national conversations and policy responses on family, domestic and sexual violence, recognising that communities themselves are best placed to drive lasting solutions.
Interim chair Donnella Mills welcomed the decision, describing it as an important example of Aboriginal-led leadership.
"Leadership from the community-controlled sector about domestic and family violence is essential for progress to be made," Ms Mills said.
"By setting this standard in their constitution, Congress' members and Board are setting a strong precedent, clearly stating that Aboriginal communities do not tolerate domestic violence."
As conversations continue across the country about ending domestic and family violence, the decision by Central Australian Aboriginal Congress stands as a reminder that some of the strongest leadership is emerging from within Aboriginal communities themselves.
Through community control, cultural authority and collective decision making, Congress members have made it clear that leadership carries responsibility, and that domestic and family violence has no place in shaping the future of Aboriginal organisations.
