Directors

director

Darcy Blackman

I am a Butchulla man from Ngari (Fraser Island) and currently reside on country in Hervey Bay.  I was born and raised in Innisfail North Queensland.

I have over 35 years of experience with indigenous affairs and engagement with many indigenous groups, indigenous organisations and communities throughout Queensland. I have excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to quickly establish rapport with indigenous people which are essential skills for effective engagement. 

Throughout my career I have worked on behalf of the Queensland Government, Gurang Land Council, ATSIC Regional Council and the National Native Title Tribunal. Some of my achievements include:

• Represented the Government at the negotiations and the Aurukun Bauxite Resource project tender process between the Wik and Wik Way Peoples, Aurukun Shire Council and Chalco and Glencore 2006-2017

• Represented the Government in the negotiations of transfer of the Aurukun Shire Lease to Aboriginal Freehold under Aboriginal Land Act 1991

• Facilitated negotiations for the transfer of the Aurukun TAFE facilities from Department of Education to Aurukun Shire Council

• Participated in the Cape York Welfare Reform review concerning the whole of government response to the Cape York Welfare Reform

• Negotiated Indigenous Land Use Agreements on behalf of Economic Development Queensland with the Iman People, Gaangalu Nation People, Barada Barna People native title groups

• Represented the State in relation to negotiations of major projects, including APC Gas Pipeline, Australia Zoo expansion and Ma Mu Rainforest Canopy Walk

• Negotiated on behalf of the Government for native title and cultural heritage for the Mt Isa Industrial Estates ILUA and Gladstone Clinton Industrial Estates ILUA

• Represented the Government for native title and cultural heritage at the negotiations concerning the Urban Land Development Authority at Moranbah and Gladstone

• Negotiated on behalf of the Government for native title and cultural heritage on State Development Areas of Abbot Point Multi-User Infrastructure Corridor (MUIC) ILUA, Townsville SDA and Gladstone MUIC

• Represented the Government for cultural heritage issues for Ebenezer Regional Industrial
  Area (Ipswich) and Rosella Regional Industrial Estate (Mackay)

• Represented the Government for native title and cultural heritage at the negotiations of Surat Basin Rail project with the Wulli Wulli, Iman and Gaangalu native title parties

• In 1990, I organized and facilitated a native title meeting at Porcupine Gorge, north of Hughenden with community members from Charters Towers, Hughenden and Richmond

• I worked 2 years with National Native Title Tribunal on the negotiations of the KERG ILUA for the development of the Western Mineral Province Mt Isa region

• As a Project Officer for the Gurang Land Council, I facilitated negotiations on native title claims and future act negotiations with several native title groups over four years

• I was employed for six years with the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Legal Service as a Field Officer to represent the indigenous clients of Charters Towers, Hughenden and Richmond

• I was elected as representative of the indigenous people of Charters Towers, Hughenden and Richmond to the ATSIC Regional Council Townsville.

director

Graeme Albion

Before starting Jun’jarin in 2019 I worked in the Queensland Government for over 25 years in senior legal and policy roles in the areas of land, water, mining and petroleum, native title and Indigenous land.  I have a proven track record of success in leading complex commercial projects, the development of policy and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and stakeholder groups.

I joined the then Queensland Department of Lands in 1994 as a lawyer in the legal services unit. Over the next eight years, I gained a thorough understanding of Queensland’s land, Indigenous land, water, mining and petroleum legislation. This provided me with a solid foundation for my later work in native title and Indigenous land operational matters.

From 2003 to 2009 I was Director of Policy and Resource Strategy in Mining and Petroleum Operations. As Director, I was responsible for leading the review of the Petroleum Act 1923 and the development, introduction and passage of the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety Act) 2004). There was a strong native title element with this legislation due to the pre-existing rights based act status of existing petroleum exploration tenement and petroleum leaseholders. It was during this period that I had the opportunity to work closely with Crown Law on the native title aspects and I began to develop an understanding of the impacts of government policy and development activities on native title rights and interests.

Since 2010, I have worked almost exclusively in the areas of native title and Indigenous land. 

Between 2010 and 2014 I led the Queensland Government project for the international tender of the rights to develop the Aurukun Bauxite resource.  A key aspect of this major commercial project was working closely with the Aurukun Community through the Aurukun Shire Council and the native title holders, the Wik and Wik Way people.

In 2014 Darcy Blackman and I established an Indigenous Services Unit in the Department of State Development to ensure that the Department and project proponents would engage early and respectfully with Indigenous communities on potential projects in the spirit of partnership. 

Between November 2014 and September 2019 I worked for the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy as Director, Whole of Government Native Title Policy and Indigenous land Operations.  In this role I developed a thorough understanding of the native title and Indigenous land policy and operational environment by direct interaction with native title holders and Indigenous communities throughout Queensland.

The key skill that I have developed and which has become my core value is to wherever possible work with colleagues and clients as partners in a shared outcome.

Education

QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

• Bachelor of Laws 1989

• Master of Laws 1999

Admission

• Supreme Court of Queensland 1990

• High Court of Australia 1990