Page 5444 - Week 14 - Thursday, 30 November 2017

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The new regulation under the act: provides clarity on how the elected body members should declare their pecuniary and personal interests; defines the role of the chair and deputy chair; and institutes a prescribed code of conduct referred to in section 19 of the amended act. The code of conduct has been modelled on the code we have for members of this Assembly.

The ACT government also supports the United Ngunnawal Elders Council. UNEC provides advice to the ACT government in relation to heritage and connection to land matters for the Ngunnawal people. UNEC comprises representatives nominated by each of the Ngunnawal family groups. The council meets up to four times a year in Canberra at various locations, including community-based organisations

The annual report I table today highlights programs, initiatives and key performance data on the ACT’s progress on improving outcomes for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This is the second report of the whole-of-government agreement and the first to reflect the new outcomes framework under the key performance indicators headings for each focus area. I thank all directorates who have engaged in the detailed work of identifying appropriate indicators which go well beyond the ACT’s reporting requirements under the closing the gap framework.

There is also movement in the national agenda, with significant work being put into a new framework for evaluation of achievement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. While still in consultation, we are hopeful that this will signal a commitment to developing solutions together with the community. We urge the commonwealth to take the time ensure that this is the case, and that the new framework reflects the priorities of the community.

The current ACT agreement will expire next year and we will soon commence engagement with the community on a new or refreshed agreement. It is intended that the new agreement will be for five years, which we envisage will enable us to be more ambitious and innovative.

The government’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation has been demonstrated by the establishment of Australia’s first Reconciliation Day public holiday, to be celebrated on 28 May 2018. We remain committed to the shared vision outlined in the agreement:

The signatories of this Agreement are committed to pursuing equitable outcomes for members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT. The signatories are committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the community and their organisations to develop the opportunities, knowledge and skills to build an empowered, resilient and sustainable future.

I move:

That the Assembly take note of the paper.

Question resolved in the affirmative.


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