Closing the Gap is every Ministers’ responsibility

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.

All Ministers in the new Labor Cabinet have a role to play in Closing the Gap, the Coalition of Peaks, the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations has said.

“As the Prime Minister said in his victory speech, we will be a stronger nation when we close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” Ms Turner said.

“Closing the Gap is not just about our people, but all Australians – and everyone has a role to play.”

Ms Turner congratulated Senator Malarndirri McCarthy on being re-appointed as Minister for Indigenous Australians and said Closing the Gap was not the responsibility of her portfolio alone.

“The Coalition of Peaks have a great working relationship with Senator McCarthy, and since coming into the role last year she has re-energised the Government’s Closing the Gap commitments,” Ms Turner said.

“Under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, the Government committed to doing things differently – to share decision-making with our people and work in partnership. From Ministers to frontline services, all parts of government must be actively improving the way they work with our people.”

“One of the most urgent needs in our communities is housing, yet no government has addressed this with a long term, sustainable plan,” Ms Turner said.

“The federal funding boost for remote housing in the Northern Territory last year was a welcome move, but we’re concerned our people aren’t being given a real say in how it’s being implemented. It's important the Federal Government stay closely engaged.”

“I again congratulate all Ministers, new and returning. To you, the message is this: Closing the Gap is not the sole responsibility of the Indigenous Affairs portfolio. We all have a vital role to play, and by working together in genuine partnership with First Nations people and organisations, we can make a real difference and make the next three years count.”