Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control is key to Closing the Gap

Coalition of Peaks welcomes Prime Minister’s announcements on employment, food security and mental health

New and expanded programs aimed at Closing the Gap will benefit from the Federal Government’s partnership with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs), their peak body says. 

Today, Prime Minister Albanese will give his annual Closing the Gap remarks in Parliament, having this morning announced expanded funding for employment and food security programs for remote communities, an expansion of the 13YARN mental health service, and a new strategy for tackling family, domestic and sexual violence.  

The Coalition of Peaks, which represents more than 80 Aboriginal community-controlled peak bodies, said it was important the government designed and delivered such programs in partnership with ACCOs, as they hold the knowledge and understanding of what their communities require. 

Acting Lead Convenor Scott Wilson welcomed the expansion of the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program from 3,000 to 6,000 new jobs. 

“Meaningful, long-term employment promotes self-determination and greater economic and social outcomes. This will enable more of our people living in remote communities to have access to sustainable employment,” Mr Wilson said.  

The Coalition of Peaks also welcomes the expansion of programs that address cost of living and food security for remote communities.  

“This expansion will allow for more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to have reliable access to nutritious food and groceries all year around,” Mr Wilson said.  

“These are important steps towards closing the gap and all governments must continue to support the work of ACCOs nationally in ensuring adequate services and resources are delivered to remote communities all over Australia.”  

The Prime Minister also announced a range of new investments in health including expanding the Birthing on Country program and the extension of the 13YARN mental health service to text message.  

“Birthing on Country programs, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, have made a huge contribution to the rise in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies being born at a healthy birthweight,” said Mr Wilson.  

“We welcome this government’s significant and much needed investment in health infrastructure, health workers and programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.” 

Mr Wilson said the announcements were an indication the government was taking seriously its commitments to Closing the Gap, and the systemic changes needed to underpin it. 

“Closing the Gap requires genuine partnership, it requires sustainable funding for our organisations, a transformation of the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Wilson said.  

Last year an independent, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review found governments across Australia were not consistently acting upon their commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.  

Mr Wilson said Closing the Gap means giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations the power and resources to lead solutions.  
 
“We've seen it happen and we know it works. Our people and organisations have the knowledge and trust of their communities and that is exactly what's needed to drive real, lasting change.  
 
“We're pleased that the Federal Government is working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to design, lead and deliver the new and expanded programs announced today. 
 
“The Coalition of Peaks continues to urge all governments to provide sustainable funding to our organisations to tackle health, social and economic inequalities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.” 
 
Also tabled in Parliament today will be the Coalition of Peaks 2024-25 Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan.  

Mr Wilson said a key achievement for the Coalition of Peaks had been the establishment of the Data Policy Partnership which will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations access to critical data held by governments to support service delivery and evidence-based policy development. 

“Looking to this year, we will be focussed on implementing the recommendations that came out of the independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander review to make sure that the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is working and improving life outcomes for our people.”