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Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

A new National Agreement on Closing the Gap

A new National Agreement on Closing the Gap

Indigenous Affairs Closing the Gap
Thursday, 30 July 2020

National Indigenous Australians Agency

The new National Agreement on Closing the Gap has now been released.

The National Agreement has been developed in genuine partnership between Australian Governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations.

The National Agreement recognises that the only way to close the gap is when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people own, commit to and drive the outcomes sought, alongside all governments.

The objective of the National Agreement is to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to overcome the entrenched inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.

Central to the National Agreement are four priority reforms that will embed joint-decision making; build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled service sector; transform mainstream government services; and improve data to support informed decision-making.

It also focuses on 16 targets to improve outcomes in education, employment, health and wellbeing, justice, safety, housing, land and waters, and languages.

For the first time, the Commonwealth, states and territories, local government and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations are jointly accountable for ensuring the outcomes of closing the gap are achieved through implementation, and will report annually on their success in progressing actions against their plans.

More information on the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap is available on the Closing the Gap website.