The Joint Council on Closing the Gap has met for the seventh time under the historic Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap where governments are working together with the Coalition of Peaks to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Progress was welcomed on several high-priority actions to advance priority reforms and socio-economic targets in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The Joint Council agreed to the sector strengthening plans covering the early childhood care and development sector and the health sector, establishing high-level priorities and joint ways of building these key community-controlled sectors nationally.
Patricia Turner AM, Lead Convener of the Coalition of Peaks, said she was pleased to see the sector strengthening plans laid out.
“These plans are an important tool for change and accountability, and the onus is now on every party to turn their commitments into practice,” she said.
“Our community-controlled sector is invaluable to our people: we see real change when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people deliver services to our communities.”
Reporting and transparency are key features for successfully implementing the National Agreement.
All governments will table their annual reports in their respective Parliaments from 2022, and the Joint Council will consider key implementation issues.
“The Coalition of Peaks are working with governments to ensure they transform how they do business and rise to the challenges set out in the National Agreement,” Ms Turner said.
“Shared decision making, accountability and transparency are central concerns for us.
“We also value the independent review of progress to be conducted by the Productivity Commission because there will be things we are doing well, but also areas where we must do better.
“There will be lessons to learn on how we can work better into the future and invest in those actions which will close gaps faster.”
A new target on Community Infrastructure was recommended to First Ministers and the Coalition of Peaks for sign-off and inclusion in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
This target now includes measures that ensure essential services for remote and discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will meet or exceed jurisdictional standards. This will not only help with housing standards but deliver significant health outcomes to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people.
Finally, the Joint Council announced a new Closing the Gap logo, designed by Wiradjuri artist Lani Balzan.
“The new logo is a great achievement. It will help ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait can identify and better track the work and achievements of the National Agreement,” Ms Turner said.
