Transforming Government Organisations
To accelerate progress under Priority Reform 3, government parties pledge to implement key transformation elements within mainstream institutions and agencies:Â
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- Identification and eradication of racism.
- Integration and practice of meaningful cultural safety.
- Collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, communities, and individuals in service delivery.
- Enhancement of accountability through transparent funding allocations.
- Promotion and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
- Enhancement of engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
By championing these transformative principles, NSW CAPO seeks to catalyze substantive change, fostering an environment where mainstream institutions not only uphold accountability but also actively respond to the diverse needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In the pursuit of transformative change under  Priority Reform 3, NSW CAPO has designed and released a report on an NSW Independent, Aboriginal-led, Government Accountability Mechanism. This design responds to community feedback that the NSW Government should be better accountable to Aboriginal communities when designing policy and programs that affect Aboriginal people. Â
As part of this design process, NSW CAPO undertook Community engagement in two phases. Phase One sought input on broader negotiable matters, to ensure expectations and the scope of the project were clearly defined. Information gathered during Phase One informed the development of draft proposed models for the Mechanism, which included potential functions, features, tools and structures. These draft models were then circulated for targeted feedback during Phase Two of engagements. In this way, engagements provided information ahead of key decision-making points.Â
 Access to the Phase 1 Report is available here.
 Access to the Phase 2 Report is available here.
On 26th of September 2024, the final report was released.
 Access to the Final Report is available here. Â
This report outlines the design of a proposed Accountability Mechanism to hold the NSW Government to account to Aboriginal people, ensuring that commitments to transformative change in Aboriginal outcomes are met. The proposed mechanism has two primary functions:Â Â
- Enhancing Existing Accountability ProcessesÂ
- Leading Aboriginal-Owned Accountability InitiativesÂ
The Accountability Mechanism has a key objective of building and maintaining public trust in government, institutions, and democratic systems through demonstrating community connection Independence, adequate powers and resourcing and transparency. Â
NSW CAPO calls on the NSW Joint Council for Closing the Gap to endorse this recommended model of an Independent Mechanism. Endorsement of this model is essential to fulfill the commitments outlined in the National Agreement and the NSW Implementation Plan.
NSW CAPO and NSW Government are the New South Wales signatories to the Closing the Gap National Partnership Agreement and work in partnership with other organisations and agencies on Closing the Gap across the state.