NSW Progresses Closing the Gap Jurisdictional Plan

8 December, 2020

8 December 2020

MEDIA STATEMENT

NSW Progresses Closing the Gap Jurisdictional Plan

The NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO) and NSW Government have agreed on governance arrangements to guide the development of the NSW Jurisdictional Plan to deliver on our Closing the Gap commitments.

CAPO Co-Chair and joint Chair of the Senior Governance Group (SGG), Councillor Charles Lynch welcomed the new approach by the Minister and NSW Government.

“The National Agreement is a new way of doing business, based on partnership and shared decision making between Aboriginal people and governments,” Cr Lynch said.

“For too long, policy failed because Governments focused on doing things to or for Aboriginal people, rather than with us.  It’s pleasing to see the Minister’s commitment to develop a genuine partnership of equals.”

The first meeting of the SGG was a significant milestone in progressing the NSW implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“By working together in a partnership with Aboriginal communities, organisations and Government, this meeting achieved clear agreement on the actions that each party needs to take to deliver a collaborative NSW Jurisdictional Plan by July 2021.

“This is a complex challenge, and I was extremely grateful to hear all of the voices in the room. I am thankful for the ambition and passion of our partners as we work through shared decision-making to map out how NSW will implement the National Agreement,” Cr Lynch said.

The SGG will oversee the distribution of $20 million over four years from the 2020-21 NSW Budget for Closing the Gap, and support for the equal participation of Aboriginal communities in priority reforms.

In addition to Co-Chairs, the SGG is comprised of representatives of CAPO members NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Link-Up (NSW), Aboriginal Legal Services (NSW/ACT), AbSec – NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation, and First Peoples Disability Network as well as Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) Secretary Tim Reardon.

For more information:

Email the CAPO Secretariat: caposecretariat@alc.org.au

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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