Closing the Gap leadership meets on Larrakia Country to push for urgent priority actions
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 Joint Council provides national leadership, coordination and cooperation on the implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. It is a unique forum where the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives sit at the table with all levels of government to make shared decisions about the policies that affect our lives.
This week’s meeting comes at a critical time, with several high-stakes national conversations on incarceration and the rights of children causing serious concern for our people.
The need for greater investment in community-led solutions and a stronger, more accountable response from governments on justice reform has never been clearer.
The Coalition of Peaks – representing 80 Peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and over 800 community-controlled organisations – is calling for urgent action across a number of key priorities, including:
Youth justice reform across all levels of government, supported by tangible, cross- portfolio actions. Governments must address the entire continuum – from prevention and early intervention to tertiary responses – and move away from systems that criminalise our children.
Legal rights and access to inland waters – including increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ ownership, access and management of water bodies, backed by jurisdictional targets and implementation plans.
Reducing the number of children in out-of-home care with practical action to address their ongoing over-representation in the child protection system. Vulnerable children and families must receive the culturally safe support they need.
Justice reform more broadly including addressing systemic drivers of incarceration and the continued tragedy of deaths in custody; and,
Strengthening the role of the Data Policy Partnership and advancing action on the Productivity Commission recommendations on Priority Reform 4 - Shared access to data and information at a regional level.
The Joint Council will also consider the Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Review of the National Agreement, due for public release tomorrow. The Review reflects the lived realities of the National Agreement in key areas including funding transparency, shared accountability, Indigenous data sovereignty and stronger public sector leadership.
Scott Wilson, Acting Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said the meeting was an important opportunity to have frank discussions about the state of the partnership and the urgent need for governments to act.
“The Coalition of Peaks will continue to push governments to adjust the way they do business with our people. There is significant change required to realise the kind of partnerships that can deliver self-determination, equality and the adequate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and community organisations to lead on the issues that affect our lives.”
“We know that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are properly resourced to lead, the outcomes are better. Partnership must go beyond words – it must be backed by sustained investment and real accountability,” said Mr Wilson.
This Joint Council meeting welcomes back Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy as Minister forIndigenous Australians following her reappointment after the Federal election and marks the first meeting for Minister Simpson as Queensland’s Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships; and Minister Punch as Western Australia’s Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.