 The Department of Aboriginal Affairs was founded by the Whitlam Government to replace the government agencies responsible for Indigenous affairs, the Council for Aboriginal Affairs, and the Office of Aboriginal Affairs, while also providing a route for self-determination by employing Indigneous Australians.The National Aboriginal Consultative Committee (NACC) was the first elected body representing Indigenous Australians on the national level, having been established by the Whitlam Government in 1972.It was composed of 36 representatives elected by Aboriginal people in 36 regions of Australia.