The Coalition of nearly forty Peak Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander organisations will meet face-to-face in Adelaide today to discuss possiblenew targets and a new approach on Closing the Gap.
This is the first time that Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander representatives have come together in this way to talkabout Closing the Gap targets that is not through government facilitateddiscussions.
We are pleased to bemeeting in Adelaide where we have already started to see a significant changeto the way the South Australian Government is working with Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander community controlled organisations as part of thePartnership Agreement on Closing the Gap. A strengthened South AustralianAboriginal Community Controlled Organisations Network met recently to work withthe South Australian Government and the Coalition of Peaks on Closing the Gap.
Quotes toattribute to Coalition of Peaks Convener and NACCHO Chief Executive Officer MsPatricia Turner AM.
- "This is the firsttime Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisationshave had an equal voice at the table on Closing the Gap so I expect that theconversation will shift to what we believe is needed to achieve it."
- "Given our livedexperience and the work we do within our own communities, we are hopeful thatour positions will continue to be received and considered by governments withopen minds."
- "The Peaks have been hard at work reviewingthe Council of Australian Governments (COAG) draft targets on Closing the Gapfrom December 2018, discussing changes and additional targets that may beneeded. It will be important that we also get an opportunity to talk thisthrough with our communities."
- "For the Peaks, the most important part ofClosing the Gap going forward is not the targets but reviewing how we go aboutachieving them. The Peaks believe that the strengthening of the Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander community controlled sector to deliver Closing the Gapservices and sharing decision making is very important in this regard."
- "We firmly believe that changing the waygovernments work so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples acrossAustralia have shared decision-making on Closing the Gap will result inpositive outcomes across the board."
About the Coalition of Peaks
The Coalition of Peaks is arepresentative body comprised of around forty Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander peaks organisations that have come together to have their collectivevoice heard on issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Sincethe Closing the Gap framework and targets were first implemented in 2008, wehave been calling on government to recognise the expertise that exist inAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
In an historic agreement, the Coalitionof Peaks has formed a Joint Partnership with the Council of AustralianGovernments (COAG) in order to collaborate on the Closing the Gap Refreshprocess. This is the first time that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islandervoices have not only been invited to the table, but have also been empoweredwith shared decision-making responsibilities.
ThePartnership Agreement has now been signed by the Prime Minister. The Coalitionof Peaks are beginning to work with the Joint Partnership to affect meaningfulchange for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
More information on the Coalitionof Peaks: www.naccho.org.au/programmes/coalition-of-peaks/
