Transforming Government Organisations

In the pursuit of transformative change under Priority Reform 3, NSW CAPO has embarked on a journey of engagement and innovation. Our dedicated team, focused on Transforming Government Organisations, conducted Phase 1 community consultations from July to December 2023. Throughout this period, active engagement with Aboriginal communities yielded invaluable insights into the creation of an Independent Aboriginal-led Accountability Mechanism. This mechanism, meticulously crafted to enhance accountability within the NSW Government, is poised to drive progress towards socio-economic targets critical for Closing the Gap. The Phase 1 Report, available online, serves as a testament to our commitment, laying the groundwork for further advancements in this transformative endeavour.
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Priority Reform 3 underscores the imperative of systemic and structural transformation within mainstream government agencies and institutions. NSW CAPO aligns with the broader objective of ensuring accountability and responsiveness to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This commitment, reinforced by the 2019 engagement process, demands bold action to dismantle historical systems, structures, and beliefs hindering progress.

To accelerate progress under Priority Reform 3, government parties pledge to implement key transformation elements within mainstream institutions and agencies:

    1. Identification and eradication of racism.
    2. Integration and practice of meaningful cultural safety.
    3. Collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, communities, and individuals in service delivery.
    4. Enhancement of accountability through transparent funding allocations.
    5. Promotion and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
    6. 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.

NSW CAPO has led the design of an Independent, Aboriginal-led, Government Accountability Mechanism. out Phase 1 community consultations between July and December 2023. This design fulfils commitments under Priority Reform 3 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the NSW Implementation Plan 2022-24. It also responds to community feedback that the NSW Government should be better accountable to Aboriginal communities when designing policy and programs that affect Aboriginal people. 

As part of this design process, NSW CAPO undertook Community 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 the Phase Two of engagements. In this way, engagements provided information ahead of key decision-making points.

  Access to the Phase 1 Report is available here.

 Access to the Phase 2 Report is available here.

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Read more:

Priority Reform #1: Formal Partnerships and Shared Decision Making
Priority Reform #2: Building the Community-Controlled Sector
Priority Reform #4: Shared Access to Data and Information at a Regional Level

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.

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