That the Senate—

(a) notes that 4 July to 11 July 2004 was NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) Week and that this year's theme was, `Self-Determination—Our Community—Our Future—Our Responsibility';

(b) acknowledges that services to Indigenous people are most effective when controlled and run by Indigenous people and that the Government's proposed abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and mainstreaming of Indigenous services will further obstruct Indigenous peoples' access to basic rights such as health, education, employment, housing and justice;

(c) recognises the significance of NAIDOC Week in celebrating Indigenous culture and the individual achievements of Indigenous people throughout the country;

(d) congratulates the 2004 National NAIDOC award winners including:

Person of the Year: Aden Ridgeway

Apprentice of the Neil Joseph

Year: Fourmile Jnr

Scholar of the Year: Kaye Price

Female Elder of the

Year: Merlene Mead

Male Elder of the

Year: Steve Mam

Youth of the Year: Michael Hayden

Sportsperson of the

Year: Adam Goodes

Artist of the Year: Jirra Lulla Harvey; and

(e) calls on the Government to ensure that NAIDOC funding is not affected by the mainstreaming of Indigenous services and programs.