Roger Jaensch,Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Tasmania is now a proud signatory to the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the Agreement).
This historic Agreement, signed today, builds upon the important work the Tasmanian Government has done in recent years in the journey of reconciliation and resetting the relationship with Tasmanian Aboriginal communities.
The four Priority Reform areas of the Agreement are:
(1) Formalise partnerships to involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in decisions which affect them;
(2) Build the capacity of Aboriginal organisations to deliver services, and fund these organisations to deliver services currently delivered by mainstream organisations;
(3) Expose racism in government institutions, and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on significant changes to government policies which affect them; and
(4) Share data and information with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities.
The Priority Reform areas are underpinned by broad and measurable targets across education, employment, health and wellbeing, justice, safety, housing, land and waters, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
The Tasmanian Government will now work closely with all Tasmanian Aboriginal communities to develop the Tasmanian Government's Implementation Plan.
