Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson attended the meeting and was invited to sit with the panel members.

He said the main opinion expressed by the estimated 100 people at the meeting was that a more cohesive relationship between all Aboriginal organisations was needed in the future to help unify their voice.

“Most spoke about how good a lot of the projects, programs and organisations are at doing things but felt they were operating individually,” Mr Anderson said.

“There was a strong feeling that if they all worked together services would be delivered in a much more effective way.”

Cutting out the reporting process and other bureaucratic processes was also highlighted.

“Many of the people that spoke felt that funding was getting tied up unnecessarily because of the complexity of the reporting processes,” Mr Anderson said.

Transition programs from primary to high school and high school to university were among the other issues raised.

“The people who spoke said this was an area where more opportunities and support needed to be offered because it was the age group where things tend to fall off the wagon,” Mr Anderson said.

Increased support for elders was also highlighted.

“Mr Anderson said more than 30 speakers had stood to have their opinions heard.

“At least 50 per cent of those were from Armidale, which was great to see,” he said.

“There was also strong representation from Gunnedah and Tamworth.”

The Tamworth community meeting was one of 12 being held in NSW.

Notes compiled by the panel at each of the meetings will be used by the members of the Ministerial Taskforce, which comprises seven ministers and senior Aboriginal representatives, to help develop a new Aboriginal affairs strategy for the state.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Victor Dominello, who announced the establishment of the taskforce in August 2011, did so with the hope the new strategy would improve life in three key areas for NSW’s Aboriginal people: services delivery, education and employment prospects.