Closing the Gap: all jurisdictions must follow ACT’s lead to stamp out institutional racism in government

All states must follow the ACT’s lead in legislating their Closing the Gap commitments if they are to make the systemic changes needed to reduce the systemic racism experienced by our people when accessing government services, the Coalition of Peaks has said.

The Coalition of Peaks, which represents more than 80 Aboriginal community-controlled peak organisations, congratulated ACT’s Aboriginal leaders and politicians on the historic achievement to legislate Closing the Gap.

“This is what real accountability looks like. This is how we shift from promises to practice. We congratulate the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body and all others involved in getting this done,” said Coalition of Peaks Lead Convenor Pat Turner AM.

“The Commonwealth, States and Northern Territory must take note – we want to get this done across the country.”

The legislation legally binds senior ACT public servants to deliver on the four “Priority Reforms” – the systemic reforms that all governments have agreed are needed to close the gap.

One such reform is the transformation of government services and agencies, to stamp out institutional racism and promote cultural capability and safety.

The ACT legislation introduces greater accountability for senior public servants and requires all ACT government agencies to report on their progress, with reporting designed together with Aboriginal representatives. It will come into effect in July 2026.

“Closing the Gap should be core government business, not an optional extra. This move embeds Closing the Gap across the whole of the ACT government,” Ms Turner said.

“Other jurisdictions can learn from this. Our people’s wellbeing should not be bureaucratically siloed. All ministers and departments – from housing and education to justice and employment – have a responsibility to close the gap.”