Released 21/03/2024
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body has presented the ACT Government with a report following its Hearings in August 2023.
The hearings examined the ACT Government’s delivery of the objectives under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith thanked the Elected Body for its commitment to holding the ACT Government to account to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans have equal opportunity in all aspects of their lives.
“It is clear from this report and the Productivity Commission’s Closing the Gap Review released in February that there is more work needed to ensure we make real change to the way in which government works, how we deliver on our shared priorities and how we work in partnership to support the community,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
The Elected Body’s report highlights the need to embed the Priority Reforms from the National Agreement in the way the ACT Government operates.
The report identifies five priority areas for the ACT Government to focus on to strengthen outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. These priority areas include:
- Child and Youth Protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
- Justice
- Community Assets and Community Control
- Early Childhood, Education and Health and
- Proportional Funding.
“The ACT Government has long operated on the guiding principle of self-determination and supporting First Nations leadership. We can’t achieve the change needed on our own and we have more work to do in ensuring we genuinely listen to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“In response to this need, the ACT Government is taking steps forward by investing in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector.
“A dedicated Aboriginal Service Development Branch has been established in the Community Services Directorate to support existing, new and emerging Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations to expand delivery of culturally appropriate services in these areas.”
Since its inception, the Aboriginal Service Development Branch has supported the investment of $12 million in ACT Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
It also assisted in dispersing more than $1.3 million in grants to three ACCOs to deliver advocacy and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families delivering against the ‘We Don’t Shoot our Wounded’ report and facilitated a $700,000 grant to Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation to deliver the Intensive Family Support Program.
“This report also demonstrates the importance of having a strong independent voice to government,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“We have backed our commitment to support the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body with additional funding to expand its capacity to provide vital policy advice and increase its engagement with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Elected Body members have had their paid time increased and will be supported by an independent secretariat, with funding also supporting a process to engage with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community on their needs and aspirations to help shape the future of the Elected Body.”
“The ACT Government can, and must, do significantly more to close the gap and make a real difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans.”
“The ACT showed its support for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community during the Voice to Parliament referendum with the nation’s only majority ‘yes’ vote.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Elected Body as they both hold us to account and partner with us to create a better future for the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.”
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases