The senior leadership of the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks) met on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country to chart a next phase of reform under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The Coalition of Peaks today welcomes the release of the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander–led Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The Review validates what our communities have long said: when governments listen, share power, and act in partnership, change follows.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders from across the country – as representatives of the Coalition of Peaks – will today meet with Commonwealth, state, and territory Indigenous Affairs Ministers for the next meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap, held in Garramilla (Darwin) on Larrakia (Gulumerridjin) Country.

The Coalition of Peaks stands in full solidarity with the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT) and the Northern Territory communities mourning the tragic and preventable deaths of two Aboriginal men in police custody.

Pat Turner AM, Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, congratulated the Government on winning a second term, saying their victory showed Australians had chosen progress and inclusion over division.

Tamworth – best known for its country music festival – is now making history for another reason: becoming the first town in Australia where a local council and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations have signed a formal agreement to work together on Closing the Gap.

The Federal Budget's $8.5b Medicare package and investments in early childhood, education and family safety will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, their peak body has said.

Economic policies – including employment programs, business support and procurement policies – are being developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities without their substantive participation, according to a new report - Informing a Partnership on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Economic Development.

The latest update of the Productivity Commission’s Closing the Gap Dashboard shows encouraging progress in several key areas across all states and territories, particularly in land and sea rights and internet access. Yet, critical challenges remain, requiring urgent government action, particularly in incarceration, child removal, and suicide prevention.

The independent review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is now underway, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a critical opportunity to shape policies that directly impact their lives.

Today some newly appointed federal, state, and territory Indigenous Affairs Ministers will join Coalition of Peaks members for an important Joint Council on Closing the Gap meeting in Boorloo Perth.

Today some newly appointed federal, state, and territory Indigenous Affairs Ministers will join Coalition of Peaks members for an important Joint Council on Closing the Gap meeting in Boorloo Perth.

Today some newly appointed federal, state, and territory Indigenous Affairs Ministers will join Coalition of Peaks members for an important Joint Council on Closing the Gap meeting in Boorloo Perth.

Today some newly appointed federal, state, and territory Indigenous Affairs Ministers will join Coalition of Peaks members for an important Joint Council on Closing the Gap meeting in Boorloo Perth.

Almost a year on from the Voice referendum, the peak body for Aboriginal community- controlled organisations is highlighting areas of progress towards closing the gap, and areas where governments need to do better. 

Partnership and shared decision-making between governments and communities is key to closing the gap, according to the peak body for around 800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.

The Coalition of Peaks welcomes the announcement by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments of a significant agreement to fund all Northern Territory public schools fully and fairly by 2029.

New data from the Productivity Commission shows that while many Closing the Gap targets are not being met, the ones that are succeeding are those where community control is in place.

Have you had trouble getting a loan for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander-owned business? Do mainstream employment services meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jobseekers?

The nation’s peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander body says last night’s Federal Budget contained some positive steps, but more will be needed to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous life outcomes.