Category Indigenous Advancement Strategy

NACCHO Sector News: 13 May 2025

The NACCHO Sector News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders: Closing the Gap needs all of government

Malarndirri McCarthy’s continuation as Minister for Indigenous Australians has been welcomed by the Coalition of Peaks, as they call for a more government-wide contribution to Closing the Gap.

Just over a week after Labor’s landslide election victory, the peak representative body for more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations called on all ministers in the new cabinet to take responsibility in their portfolios for Closing the Gap.

Lead convenor Pat Turner AM congratulated Senator McCarthy on being re-appointed as Minister, but argued that 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.”

In assessing the election victory, she said the result showed the nation had chosen “progress and inclusion over division”.

Read the full article here.

Pat Turner (centre) speaks alongside Malarndirri McCarthy and Scott Wilson earlier this year.

Pat Turner (centre) speaks alongside Malarndirri McCarthy and Scott Wilson earlier this year.

Every moment matters’ when it comes to alcohol and pregnancy. Here’s why healthcare professionals need to be informed

Content warning: This article contains reference to suicide. Please refer to the services at the bottom of this article for support.

Ange Bruce, biological mother of a child with FASD, uses her lived experience to advocate for alcohol-free pregnancies. Facing childhood trauma and her mother’s death, Ange was at high risk for alcohol issues. Despite rehab and a relapse during an unexpected pregnancy, she quit drinking for her son, experiencing dangerous withdrawal. Her son was diagnosed with FASD at three. Ange regrets the lack of support she received during pregnancy. Now a Lived Experience Advisor with FARE, she passionately advocates for others, sharing her son’s positive outcome with early diagnosis and support.

Read the full story here.

If this article brought up anything for you or someone you love, please reach out to, call or visit the resources listed below for support.

13YARN – Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Call 13YARN (13 92 76) We are here to provide crisis support 24/7 to yarn with you without judgement and provide a confidential, culturally safe space to yarn about your needs, worries or concerns….

Angelene (Ange) Bruce, the biological mother of a thriving child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Angelene (Ange) Bruce, the biological mother of a thriving child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Clinical yarning training offered to Mid West health staff to improve communication with Aboriginal patients

Almost 200 health workers in Geraldton and Mullewa have taken part in “clinical yarning” training, in a bid to help them better communicate with Aboriginal patients and their families.

The WA Centre for Rural Health’s (WACRH) clinical yarning implementation research team and the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) have joined forces to provide this training to clinical health staff across the Mid West.

Described as a “yarn with a purpose”, the training method is a tool to help clinicians “achieve effective patient-centred communication that is more culturally secure for Aboriginal patients and their families”.

Read the full article here.

Clinical yarning workshop facilitators Associate Professor Ivan Lin and Kelsie Crowe with WA Country Health Service clinical staff Shanna Jacobie, Florence Khimbi, Jennifer Ryan and Olga Antonova at Mullewa Health Centre. Credit: WA Centre for Rural Health

Clinical yarning workshop facilitators Associate Professor Ivan Lin and Kelsie Crowe with WA Country Health Service clinical staff Shanna Jacobie, Florence Khimbi, Jennifer Ryan and Olga Antonova at Mullewa Health Centre. Credit: WA Centre for Rural Health

Decolonise health’: New report backs First Nations-led care

A new report has indicated First Peoples are losing trust in the health system, with decolonising needed in primary health care to ensure cultural safety.

Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Decolonising Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Project (2018-2024) has highlighted the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services and how decolonising strategies offer a holistic health care approach.

It argues decolonising involves “addressing the social, political and cultural determinants to include the emotional, physical, environmental, and spiritual aspects of a person’s health and wellbeing,” and advocates for policy makers across the board the strengthen their relationships with First Nations health care providers.

Dr Kim O’Donnell, a Malyangapa/Barkindji woman and senior researcher at the University of Adelaide, argues the way many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people view health, encompassing spiritual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing, differs markedly from mainstream health models.

She says decolonising health care practices is a way forward where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can become agents of change.

View the full article here.

A new report has indicated First Peoples are losing trust in the health system, with decolonising needed in primary health care to ensure cultural safety.

A new report has indicated First Peoples are losing trust in the health system, with decolonising needed in primary health care to ensure cultural safety.

Grant opportunity: Aged Care Capital Assistance Program – CLOSES Tues 20.5.25

This grant opportunity will provide grant funding for infrastructure projects that will:

  • maintain or improve access to quality residential-based aged care services in:
    • regional, rural and remote locations (MM 2-7)
    • metropolitan locations (MM 1) where these services will provide specialised or targeted care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders
  • deliver staff accommodation that supports residential-based aged care service provision in regional, rural and remote locations (MM 2-7).

It is designed to support providers in thin markets, where escalating building costs coupled with the ongoing costs of aged care delivery, including recruitment and retention, may limit opportunities to undertake infrastructure projects to support the delivery of quality and safe residential care services.

View Grant here.

 

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #IndigenousEvaluationStrategy : The Australian Government has asked the @ozprodcom to develop a whole-of-government evaluation strategy for policies and programs affecting Indigenous Australians

 ” We are developing an evaluation strategy for Australian Government policies and programs affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 Better evidence about what works and why is needed to improve policies and programs.

The strategy will cover both Indigenous‑specific and mainstream policies and programs.”

 Romlie Mokak, Commissioner, Productivity Commission

Download the brochure HERE

indigenous-evaluation-about

Great ideas, engagement and interest in #IndigenousEvaluationStrategy workshop at #LowitjaConf2019 facilitated by Commissioner @RMokak and team members. Strong indicator of need for more attention on policy and program development and evaluation.

Evaluation can help policy-makers and communities determine:

  • whether government policies and programs are achieving their objectives
  • what influences whether government policies and programs are effective
  • how government policies and programs can be improved

We will engage widely across metropolitan, regional and remote locations.

We want to hear from individuals, communities and organisations.

  • How can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, priorities and values be better integrated into policy and program evaluation?
  • What principles should guide Australian Government agencies’ evaluation efforts?
  • What should be the priority policy areas for future Australian Government evaluation efforts?
  • How can evaluation results be better used in policy and program design and implementation?

We are particularly keen to get input and advice from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations.

An issues paper will be released in June 2019.

Learn more about the project, or register your interest or call 1800 020 083

Indigenous Evaluation Strategy

Letter of Direction

Evaluation of policies and programs impacting on Indigenous Australians

I, Josh Frydenberg, Treasurer, pursuant to Parts 2 and 4 of the Productivity Commission Act 1998 hereby request the Productivity Commission to develop a whole-of-government evaluation strategy for policies and programs affecting Indigenous Australians. The Commission will also review the performance of agencies against the strategy over time, focusing on potential improvements and on lessons that may have broader application for all governments.

Background

A number of high profile reports have highlighted the need for more evaluation of policies and programs that have an impact on Indigenous Australians. For example, the Commission’s Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Report 2016found that only a relatively small number of programs have been rigorously evaluated.

Improving outcomes for Indigenous Australians depends on agencies with responsibility for policies and programs affecting Indigenous Australians undertaking meaningful evaluations. The Commission is to develop a strategy to guide that evaluation effort.

Scope

The Commission should develop an evaluation strategy for policies and programs affecting Indigenous Australians, to be utilised by all Australian Government agencies. As part of the strategy, the Commission should:

  • establish a principles based framework for the evaluation of policies and programs affecting Indigenous Australians
  • identify priorities for evaluation
  • set out its approach for reviewing agencies’ conduct of evaluations against the strategy.

In developing the strategy, the Commission should consider:

  • how to engage Indigenous communities and incorporate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives
  • ethical approaches to evaluations
  • evaluation experience in Australia and overseas
  • relevant current or recent reviews commissioned or undertaken by Australian, state, territory or local government agencies
  • the availability and use of existing data, and the further development of other required data and information
  • areas in which there may be value in the Productivity Commission undertaking evaluation
  • how to translate evidence into practice and to embed evaluation in policy and program delivery.

Process

The Commission should consult widely on the strategy, in particular with Indigenous people, communities and organisations (such as the Empowered Community regions), and with all levels of government. It should also consult with non-Indigenous organisations, and individuals responsible for administering and delivering relevant policies and programs.

The Commission should adopt a variety of consultation methods including seeking public submissions.

The Commission should provide the evaluation strategy and forward work program to Government within 15 months of commencement.

The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP
Treasurer

[10 April 2019]

 

Aboriginal Health and Indigenous Advancement Strategy : NACCHO CEO Pat Turner expresses her frustration that another ANAO report raises concerns about @pmc_gov_au management of #Indigenous Affairs.   

 ” It is very frustrating that we have another report from the Australian National Audit Office raising serious concerns about the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s management of Indigenous Affairs.  , 

In this case, it is the arrangements for the evaluation of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy which is a multi-billion dollar investment.  

The report tells us that five years after the introduction of the IAS, the Department is only in the early stages of implementing an evaluation framework and that there has been substantial delays.  

That is not good enough for the Department in charge of the Australian public service. ”  

Pat Turner NACCHO CEO

Listen to ABC World Today Interview Here 

Download the full ANAO report HERE

Evaluating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs

“The prime minister’s department acknowledged the findings of the audit report but said the strategy was set up within a “very challenging timeframe”.

It was “moving into a more mature phase of implementation that draws on lessons learned”.

The report made four recommendations, which the department agreed to and was already working to meet.

It intended to revise the strategy’s guidelines, and improve the application process and its own record keeping.

The Indigenous Australians minister, Ken Wyatt, said he “acknowledges the frustration we all share that we are not seeing quick enough progress on closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians”.

“This is why Coag has agreed governments – both commonwealth and states and territories – and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will share ownership of and responsibility for a jointly agreed framework and targets and ongoing monitoring of the Closing the Gap agenda,” he said.

Labor, the Greens and peak Indigenous groups say the government must overhaul its Indigenous advancement strategy after a report found that the $5.1bn program was not being properly evaluated and did not align with the government’s policy objectives.

From The Guardian 19 June

Read full article 

” After five years and $4.8 billion dollars, a new Auditor General’s report has revealed the Liberals and Nationals still can’t say whether their Indigenous Advancement Strategy is working.

Serious questions about the administration of the IAS have been swirling for years. Funding decisions have been notoriously opaque and the effectiveness of many programs is unclear.

This new report confirms the IAS has been operating for years without proper evaluation processes. Despite the former Minister being warned by his Department in 2016:

“At some point the current situation will become untenable as it is not sustainable to continue to fund activities that lack a good evidence base.”

[ANAO Report, p21, 2019]

Labor Response to ANAO report

Download Press Release Here

IAS Labor Response

Background

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C or the department) has been the lead agency for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs since 2013.

With the introduction of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) in 2014, 27 programs were consolidated into five broad programs under a single outcome, with $4.8 billion initially committed over four years from 2014–15.

The Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO’s) performance audit of the IAS (Auditor-General Report No.35 2016–17) noted that the department did not have a formal evaluation strategy or evaluation funding for the IAS for its first two years.

In February 2017 the Minister for Indigenous Affairs announced funding of $40 million over four years from 2017–18 to strengthen IAS evaluation, which would be underpinned by a formal evidence and evaluation framework.

In February 2018 the department released an IAS evaluation framework document, describing high level principles for how evaluations of IAS programs should be conducted, and outlining future capacity-building activities and broad governance arrangements.

Part 1 Pat Turner comments continued

It follows a string of bad audits starting with the audit of the IAS which found that the Department had not consulted properly in designing the IAS and rolling out a disastrous application process that led to many community controlled organisations losing their funding without reason.

Now the Government has decided to set  up a new executive agency, inside the Prime Minister’s portfolio but outside the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to manage Indigenous Affairs.

It is good that a separate agency  for Indigenous Affairs is being re-established as it is one of the most important functions of the Commonwealth.

Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders never asked or supported Indigenous Affairs being moved into the department of the Prime Minister and it is clear it has not done a good job on the IAS.

Whether setting up a new agency gets better outcomes remains to be seen.

Many say that the very disruptive shift of Indigenous Affairs into the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has resulted in Indigenous Affairs being hollowed out and a loss of nearly all the capacity that it had before.

In the meantime, we are pleased that the Prime Minister has agreed to a new COAG  Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap which includes agreement to an Indigenous led evaluation  of Closing the Gap progress after 3 years.

We think that bringing the representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into the equation, and allowing them to share decision making about Government policy, programs and evaluation will improve outcomes.

It will allow us to hold agencies much more to account for what they are doing and not doing.

But we also have to commit to building up the community controlled organisations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples to manage programs and deliver services to our people.

That is key to closing the gap and there are some signs that this is understood by the Coalition Government which committed in its election policy to increasing the Aborginal service sector.

That must go to giving them the responsibility for delivering programs and funding instead of public servants.

This audit shows that it is time for a radical shift away from governments and public servants to Aboriginal led delivery through their own community controlled organisations.

They will take responsibility for outcomes in a way that the public servants do not.