First established in 2017, the IRG is an expertise-based advisory group made up of First Nations leaders with First Nations business and economic development experience in northern Australia.
The prosperity of First Nations peoples and communities is vital to the success of the government's northern Australia agenda as outlined in the Northern Australia Action Plan 2024-2029.
Central to the Action Plan, which was launched in 2024, is the commitment to work in partnership to advance First Nations outcomes in the region.
The Action Plan outlines 6 policy priorities that inform government action and 17 Areas for Continued Focus for short- and medium-term action. The IRG plays an important role in delivering on these priorities and supports the commitment to Closing the Gap.
The previous IRG term ended in December 2024 and an expression of interest process took place in early 2025 to renew the IRG's membership. A total of 6 members have been appointed to the IRG, with the group to be chaired by Professor Martin Nakata, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at James Cook University, who has over 30 years' experience in Indigenous research.
The IRG members all have expertise in Indigenous business and strategic insight, with industry experience spanning higher education, health, finance, economic community development, banking, mining, training and development, agriculture and the not-for-profit and community-controlled sectors.
Find our more
- Read the Minister's media release
- Read the Northern Australia Action Plan 2024-2029
