Provisional results of last weeks Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) regional council elections show a record turnout of Aboriginal voters. This is positive news for the ATSIC, which has seen its share of controversy of late. Critics have called the ATSIC a declining organization, which has lost its relevance among Aboriginal voters. Others are citing the recent debate over Aboriginality in Tasmania as evidence of tough times. However, provisional results show an increase in voter turnout from the 1999 figure of 49,252 to nearly 52,000 in 2002. With more votes yet to be cast in areas these numbers are expected to climb. Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock believes that “these results show ATSIC is substantially increasing in its electoral relevance with its core constituency.”
