“This historic achievement of a hard-fought partnership between peak Aboriginal organisations and governments on Closing the Gap should be celebrated,”
This weeks Joint Council meeting represented the first time we’ve had a seat at the table and was a culmination of many years of negotiations and hard work.”
From this day forward, expert Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in health, education and community services will be working as equal partners with COAG in crafting the best solutions to achieve better life outcomes within our communities.
The health disparities and widening gaps between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians are unacceptable and as leaders in our fields, we are ready to do the hard work to reverse these trends.
We are so pleased to see the Federal Government step up and commit $4.6 million to support the efforts of our peaks to undertake this important work,”
Pat Turner, CEO of NACCHO after the first ever Joint Council meeting on Closing the Gap was held this week in Brisbane between the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and a Coalition of National Aboriginal Peak Bodies (Coalition of Peaks).
Updated Friday PM NATSIHWA and Reconcilition Australia
The Joint Council is comprised of 12 representatives elected by the Coalition of Peaks, a Minister nominated by the Commonwealth and each state and territory governments and one representative from the Australian Government Association.
Read or Download this full NACCHO Press Release Here
The Joint Council agreed on a communique which can be read here: https://www.naccho.org.au/wp-content/uploads/ctg-joint-council-communique.pdf
For more information on The Joint Council, The Partnership Agreement, The Coalition of Peaks and to sign up for our mailing list, go to: https://www.naccho.org.au/ programmes/coalition-of-peaks/
“We believe that shared decision making between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled representatives in the design, implementation and monitoring of new Closing the Gap targets and framework is essential
This is self-determination in action. Self-determination is a proven approach to Closing the Gap for Indigenous peoples; global research provides that evidence-base, including research done at Harvard University.
The new Closing the Gap targets must use Aboriginal holistic definitions of social and emotional health and wellbeing, and address systemic inequity and racism.
Closing the Gap encompasses much more than health indicators. We are resilient peoples who have survived for thousands of years and hundreds of detrimental government policies.
We know what works to help our people thrive and this Partnership Agreement will make sure that we are heard.”
VACCHO Chairperson and CEO BADAC ACCHO Ballarat Karen Heap
Read or Download this full VACCHO Press Release Here
2.VACCHO-MEDIA-PEAKS-COALITION
“Shared decision making between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled representatives in the design, implementation and monitoring of Closing the Gap is essential to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We have a lot of work to do, but through genuine engagement and a constructive partnership with governments we are in a position to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples,”
IAHA CEO Donna Murray.
Read or Download this full IAHA Press Release Here
3. Peaks-Partnership-Agreement-Media-Release-27-3-19-1
“After the first ten years of the original Closing the Gap Framework, it was clear that little progress was made against targets.
We believe that one of the reasons is insufficient ownership and engagement by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
This new and historic approach is a very important first step. Now begins the real work of refreshing targets, implementing measures we believe are necessary to achieve real change and monitor the progress of this new framework”.
CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and Chair of SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, Muriel Bamblett
Read or Download this full SNAICC Press Release Here
Read or Download this full VACCA Press Release Here
“It is time for standard practice to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices when making decisions and writing policy that impacts our lives, health and wellbeing. By signing this agreement, the government is committing to doing things in consultation with us, not to us or for us.”
AIDA President Dr Kris Rallah-Baker
Read or Download this full AIDA Press Release Here
“We believe that the commitment in the Partnership Agreement to co-design, implement and monitor programs in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled representatives and their members, is essential to closing the gap.
NSW CAPO along with other National Peak Aboriginal Organisations have been calling for a greater role with governments on efforts to close the unacceptable gaps in life outcomes within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The Partnership Agreement sets out how governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peaks bodies will work together toward a refreshed national agreement on Closing the Gap, including any new Closing the Gap targets and implementation and monitoring arrangements.”
Co-Chair NSW CAPO Roy Ah-See,
Read or Download this full NSW ALC / CAPO Press Release Here
“And now collectively, we can come up with a plan to address those issues that we share.
Despite the federal election being only months away, I do not believe the agreement was a bid to win votes by the Morrison government because it was not on a party political level, and was under the COAG instead.
Regardless of who’s in power of the Australian government, this commitment will continue to exist with maybe some minor amendments, depending on the possible change of government,” he said.
But essentially, this is a non-political process “
John Paterson, the CEO of Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory and one of the Coalition Peak members, said the announcement was significant because it gave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders equal opportunity to discuss pressing issues affecting Indigenous people.
“Our people understand deeply the needs of our communities and this partnership brings
about a platform for these needs to be voiced with emphasised importance”
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners have an
unmatched role in delivering health services to our communities. Our members are in a
prime position to play a key role in reducing barriers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples face in accessing health services and are critical to ensuring the provision of
cultural safety in care.
Karl Briscoe, Chief Executive Officer, NATSIHWA.
Read or Download the NATSIHWA Press Release HERE
closing_the_gap_partnership_agreement_media_release
CEO, Karen Mundine said formalising this new partnership giving key Aboriginal and Torres Strait organisations a formal role in redesigning, implementing and monitoring the Closing the Gap strategy signals a significant shift towards shared decision making.
“The additional experience, knowledge and skills that the Peak Organisations can bring to COAG’s deliberations will lead to better outcomes,” said Ms Mundine. “And better outcomes are critical given the latest disappointing results which saw five of seven Closing the Gap targets not met.”
Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine said formalising this new partnership giving key Aboriginal and Torres Strait organisations a formal role in redesigning, implementing and monitoring the Closing the Gap strategy signals a significant shift towards shared decision making.