Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Albanese Government and the Coalition of Peaks have today launched a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Peak Body for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence - Our Ways Strong Together.
Our Ways Strong Together brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations including specialist family, domestic and sexual violence services, peak bodies and the broader community-controlled sector.
By amplifying the perspectives and experiences of community-controlled organisations and the communities they serve, Our Ways Strong Together will also play an invaluable role in shaping government policies and programs.
Our Ways Strong Together also contributes to the Government's work towards Target 13 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to reduce family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50% by 2031.
The Coalition of Peaks and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector leaders worked alongside government to establish the new peak body, drawing on their deep expertise and leadership across their sectors and communities.
Olga Havnen will lead Our Ways Strong Together as the Chief Executive Officer. Ms Havnen is a proud Western Arrernte woman and has extensive experience working in partnership with First Nations communities.
She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for her advocacy work. Ms Havnen was previously Chief Executive Officer of Danila Dilba Health Service in Darwin.
Interim board members include:
- Interim Chair: Donnella Mills, Chair of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
- Muriel Bamblett, CEO of Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency and Chair of SNAICC - National Voice of our Children
- Lisa Charles, Executive Director of Coalition of Peaks Secretariat
- Wynetta Dewis, CEO of Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service and Chair of First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence
Funding for Our Ways Strong Together is part of the $218.3 million investment into Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.
