The 3rd Joint Council meeting on Closing the Gap was held today 3 July, at Parliament House in Canberra.

Council members considered and recommended the draft National Agreement on Closing the Gap to go to First Ministers, the Coalition of Peaks and the Australian Local Government Association for final approval.

In its communique, released today, the Joint Council described the National Agreement as historic.

“It is the first time a National Agreement designed to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has been developed and negotiated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

“It was developed in genuine partnership between the Commonwealth, the Coalition of Peaks, State and Territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association.”

The National Agreement is built around four Priority Reforms that will change the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and measure government action. It also establishes 16 national socio-economic targets to monitor Australia’s progress in improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

For further details on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap see the Communique on the Closing the Gap website https://closingthegap.niaa.gov.au/joint-council

For information on the Joint Council on Closing the Gap members, visit https://closingthegap.niaa.gov.au/joint-council