Page 1169 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 2 April 2019
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Because of our small numbers, the current closing the gap methodology makes it hard for the ACT to provide reportable data against some targets, such as child mortality. In addition, important factors contributing to life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not included in the current closing the gap framework. The ACT has consistently supported the inclusion of targets in new areas such as child protection, justice and housing. Work is now underway by officials and the coalition of peaks to develop refreshed closing the gap targets and to update the National Indigenous Reform Agreement.
I look forward to these targets being finalised and to the opportunity to work in a new way with the coalition of peaks to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in how the refreshed targets can be achieved at both national and local levels and have a continued seat at the table over the next 10 years as we implement the new National Indigenous Reform Agreement.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, what else is the ACT government doing to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations are shaping and implementing policies and services that are important to them?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Cheyne for her supplementary. Under the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement 2019-28, which was driven by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, the voice of our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, the refreshed closing the gap targets will be part of the agreement reporting framework.
Where proposed new closing the gap refresh themes were known, such as lands and waters, these have already been included in the agreement’s action plans. Once the Joint Council on Closing the Gap and COAG leaders agree on the final targets, these too will be incorporated into the agreement action plans and outcomes framework.
As I said when launching the agreement, it is time to move beyond consultation to co-design and co-production with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. They are the experts in their own lives. This change in approach is already seen in the Our Booris, Our Way review, which is overseen by a wholly Aboriginal steering committee, and the government’s commitment to restore Boomanulla Oval and transition its management to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
We have heard loud and clear that treaty is one of the most important issues to Ngunnawal people. This conversation started last year. As this is a first for all of us, it is important that we learn from experiences in other jurisdictions, such as Victoria, and for the United Ngunnawal Elders Council to determine what is important for them in starting the journey to treaty for the ACT.
A treaty process will be challenging for everyone, but we are up for that challenge. I look forward to these discussions continuing with the traditional custodians of this place.
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