Historic agreement launches First Nations Economic Partnership
Today, a new Agreement has been announced by the Prime Minister between the Australian Government, the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks), and the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance.
The Agreement establishes a First Nations Economic Partnership to advance economic empowerment and lasting economic security for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and organisations.
This Partnership is a clear example of the Coalition of Peaks holding the Australian Government to account for its commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap -commitments to share power, centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, and fundamentally change the way governments work with our communities.
For the first time, the Agreement provides an opportunity for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations across the country to engage directly with government on what they need to drive their own economic development.
The priorities in the Agreement reflect what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people told the Coalition of Peaks through a nationwide engagement process in 2024: that strong community-controlled organisations are the foundation for jobs and economic participation for our people.
Pat Turner AM, Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said this Partnership is an opportunity to shift the balance from government to communities driving economic development.
“The Partnership is about putting our communities in control of shaping an economic future based on what we know works," Ms Turner said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been clear for decades that our community-controlled organisations are the best employers of our people, providing the foundation for our economic development.
“One of the immediate actions in the Agreement is designing funded programs to grow secure employment and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community-controlled organisations and we are looking forward to making this happen.”
The Coalition of Peaks also welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement today of new funding for Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs), recognising their critical role as community-controlled organisations for managing Country and being able to drive economic development.
“This new investment has been sought for a long time and we are very pleased that the Albanese Government has responded” said Josie Douglas of the Central Land Council.
“Prescribed Body Corporates are the foundation of local economic development. They are governed by our people, for our people – and are key to creating jobs, attracting investment, and building sustainable livelihoods on Country.
“It also directly supports Priority Reform Two of the Closing the Gap Agreement – building and strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector.
"Our organisations need long-term investment to grow their reach and impact, and to deliver economic outcomes that are designed and led by our communities,” Dr Douglas said.
While welcoming the Agreement, the Coalition of Peaks know from experience that everything depends on it being implemented properly. The National Agreement has not had the impact that it should have because many jurisdictions are not implementing it properly and not fulfilling their commitments. The Peaks will do their utmost to make sure that all the partners to this Agreement are held accountable.