Released 07/02/2021 - Joint media release
Through the 2020-21 Budget, the ACT Government will work with Canberra’s local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to strengthen services and promote healing and reconciliation.
Quotes attributable to Andrew Barr, Chief Minister and Treasurer:
“During the 2020 election campaign, ACT Labor committed to a 10-year, $20 million Healing and Reconciliation Fund to support our commitment to Closing the Gap.”
“The Fund will be administered in partnership with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to deliver on the priorities identified through the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028. The initial investment of $317,000 through the 2020-21 budget will support the development of a governance structure and administration processes for the Fund.”
In the 2020-21 budget, the government is also investing:
- $425,000 to continue working with Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation (Gugan Gulwan) to deliver a new purpose-built facility
- $4.9 million to continue implementing the recommendations of the Our Booris, Our Way review into the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in the child protection system; and
- $1.6 million to strengthen support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across housing, child protection and other supports for children and families and domestic family violence responses.
“We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations have the answers and we must work with them and empower them to close the gap in health, wellbeing, and economic outcomes.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Rachel Stephen Smith:
“The Healing and Reconciliation Fund supports our commitment to Closing the Gap and delivering on the priorities identified through the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement.
“The ACT Government is committed to self-determination and working with Canberra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to ensure these priorities are developed and driven by the community.”
An early action under the Healing and Reconciliation Fund will support traditional custodians to progress a Treaty process for the ACT.
“We have heard loud and clear that Treaty is an important issue for Ngunnawal people. We are committed to appropriately supporting the commencement of Treaty discussions and ensuring Traditional Owners can lead this important process.
“The Funding committed in this Budget will help to facilitate community conversations about a Treaty process and provide support to the community to progress this very important work.”
“The ACT Government will work closely with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to identify future projects and priorities supported by the Fund. Priorities identified as a result of previous consultations include:
- Establishing a Ngunnawal Language Centre and continuing to support opportunities to rediscover and share Ngunnawal culture and language.
- Supporting the sustainable development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations in areas such as child and family services, justice, housing and disability.
- Returning Boomanulla Oval and Yarramundi Cultural Centre to community control.
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people is a key focus area in the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement.
“Gugan Gulwan is an important and valued organisation in the ACT, providing culturally specific and safe programs and services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
“The government will continue to invest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, encouraging more organisations to grow and thrive in the ACT.”
The ACT Government will continue working to implement the Our Booris, Our Way recommendations to improve the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait children and families in the child and youth protection system.
This includes embedding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, improving frontline services, building cultural expertise in Child and Youth Protection Services and continuing work to establish Aboriginal community-controlled organisations in the child and family services sector.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Yvette Berry:
“The ACT Government is committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have access to affordable, secure and appropriate housing that suits their needs.”
“The government will work towards the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled housing organisation in the ACT, which an action under the ACT Housing Strategy.”
“This builds on the ACT Government’s commitment to provide dedicated, long-term accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through Gundji Gindilan which opened in December 2020 and Mura Gunya which opened in 2016.”
“The ACT Government will work in partnership with the local community to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans are supported and remain connected to family, culture and country.”
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Yvette Berry, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases