Anthony Albanese was so confident that the Indigenous Voice to Parliament would rise that he appointed a world’s first international ambassador for First Nations People.
The role was advertised with the express purpose of promoting the three principles of the Uluru Declaration from the Heart on the world stage: voice, a treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia, and telling the truth about the nation’s past .
But while The Voice went down in flames – with 60 percent voting ‘no’ to changing the constitution in last October’s referendum – its taxpayer-funded role is still in place.
Justin Mohamed was appointed to the role in March 2023, with a mandate to promote The Voice and shape an indigenous “approach to foreign policy.”
Mr Mohamed was in Hawaii a week ago for the Festival of the Pacific Arts, where he represented Australia
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney jointly announced Mr Mohamed’s appointment
In his first major interview on Friday, Mr Mohamed told the Sydney Morning Herald from Paris that he continues to travel the world speaking to First Nations communities.
“The response I have received globally from many other First Nations groups, as well as from governments, has been both warm and curious,” he told Nine newspaper.
But it’s challenging not to have a blueprint to follow.
Mr. Mohamed said he and his department, DFAT’s newly created Office of First Nations Engagement, “cannot go to another country and get a sense of how they settled, what their priorities were or the path that they have walked on’.
“It comes with an element of responsibility to ensure that the first steps we take are the right ones.”
As part of his role, Mr. Mohamed travels the world to advance the interests of First Nations people
Prior to this role, Mr. Mohamed was CEO of Reconciliation Australia and helped facilitate Cricket Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan
Before taking on his diplomatic role, Mr Mohamed was CEO of Reconciliation Australia and Deputy Secretary of Aboriginal Justice in Victoria.
In that role he helped the state take steps towards a treaty.
His wife, Adjunct Professor Janine Mohamed, worked as CEO of the Lowitja Institute for five years, before leaving this year to take up a role as Deputy CEO (First Nations) for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Announcing his appointment, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said: “This new position ensures for the first time that Australia will have committed Indigenous representation in our international engagement.
Pictured: Mr Mohamed (left) alongside James Packer, former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and former NRL player Greg Inglis
“Mr. Mohamed will lead the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Office of First Nations Engagement.
“Together they will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to advance Indigenous rights globally and help grow First Nations trade and investment.
“Elevating the perspectives of First Nations people – this country’s first diplomats – enables deeper engagement with many of our closest partners, including the Pacific family.”
Highly talented indigenous leaders were encouraged to apply for the ambassador position through an expression of interest from the Department of State.
It was the first time that an ambassador position was opened to the public.
According to the job description, DFAT was looking for someone who would “lead the government’s efforts to integrate Indigenous perspectives, experiences and interests into Australia’s foreign policy.”
In his role, Mr. Mohamed was expected to “address common challenges such as healthcare security, environmental governance and climate change, and gender equality… based on the unique experiences and knowledge of First Nations people.”
He will: ‘Establish international First Nations dialogues on Voice, Treaty and Truth with like-minded countries to share experiences and knowledge on reconciliation processes and other First Nations issues, starting with New Zealand and Canada.’
He is currently in Paris for diplomatic talks at UNESCO, just a week after traveling to Hawaii for the Festival of Pacific Arts.
DFAT hopes that Mr Mohamed and his department will ’embed the perspectives and experiences of Australian First Nations in all facets of their work’.
But in the aftermath of the Voice defeat, just months after winning the appointment, Mr Mohamed admitted he was unsure of his future in the job.
He said he woke up on October 15, like many other Indigenous Australians, and struggled to accept the outcome of the referendum.
From now on, he says the whole world will be watching.
“It’s about what Australia does next and how we did it. The world is watching… the spotlight is on Australia.
“For all the right and wrong reasons.”