National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020 Citation

The National Gap Reduction Agreement, with a revised framework for the gap reduction strategy and 16 new targets, was signed by all parties and released on July 30, 2020. The National Gap Reduction Agreement (the Agreement) is an agreement between the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organizations and all Australian governments. Improvements in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have taken place under the Council of Australian Governments` (COAG) National Aboriginal Reform Agreement (NIRA), known as Closing the Gap, from 2008. This agreement builds on and replaces the NIRA. For the first time, the national agreement was signed as part of a true partnership between the Australian governments and the. [+] Megan Davis, deputy deputy vice chancellor of the Indigenous UNSW, criticized some aspects of the agreement, particularly the idea that the participation of the coalition of summits provides a “voice” and therefore represents self-determination. It points out that those entities are contracted service providers who depend on State resources to operate their organisations. She says: “Unlike the Uluru Dialogues, which invited communities to imagine and shape their future with the Platform for Constitutional Change, the Coalition of Peaks process, in which the gap is closing, aims to refresh imperfect politics. [22] Australia, Author & Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisations, Author & New South Wales, Author & Victoria, Author & Queensland, Author & Western Australia, Author & South Australia, Author & Tasmania, Author & Australian Capital Territory, Author & Northern Territory, Author & Australian Local Government Association, Author. (2020). National Agreement to Bridge the Gap Retrieved on 13 January 2022 from nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2825246596 The Parties agree on four priority reforms that will change the way governments work to accelerate the betterment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives: (1) Formal partnerships and joint decision-making; (2) the development of the Community-controlled sector; (3) Transformation of government organizations; (4) Shared access to data and information at regional level. The agreement sets out 16 national socio-economic objectives in different areas that affect the outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives.

Progress towards the goals will be monitored by the Productivity Commission and will help all parties to the National Accord understand how their efforts will contribute to progress over the next decade. No funds have yet been allocated to support the agreement. Overall, the announcement was well received. Shadow Minister of Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney welcomed the goals and participation of Indigenous representatives, but hoped to work towards increased federal funding and a goal related to family violence. [9] The National Gap Reduction Agreement (the Agreement) is an agreement between the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations and all Australian governments. Improvements in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have taken place under the Council of Australian Governments` (COAG) National Aboriginal Reform Agreement (NIRA), known as Closing the Gap, from 2008. This agreement builds on and replaces the NIRA. For the first time, the National Accord was developed as a true partnership between Australian governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks).

The agreement will enter into force on 27 July 2020 and will be a permanent agreement until it is replaced by a future agreement. The Parties intend this Agreement to be a living document that will be updated to reflect the shared priorities, progress and comments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The aim of this agreement is to overcome the deep-rooted inequality faced by too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to match those of all Australians. {{Citation | author1=Australia, author. | author2=Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisations, author. | author3=New South Wales, author. | author4=Victoria, author. | author5=Queensland, author. | author6=Western Australia, author. | author7=South Australia, author.

| author8=Tasmania, author. | author9=Australian Capital Territory, author. | author10=Northern Territory, author. | author11=Australian Local Government Association, author. | title=National Agreement on the Closure of | Year = 2020 | section=1 online resource (47 pages) | location=[Barton, Australian Capital Territory] | publisher=[Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet] | url=nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2825246596 | id=nla.obj-2825246596 | date_accès=13. January 2022 | via=Trove }} The new judicial objectives mainly concern the degree of imprisonment of indigenous peoples (in police custody and in the prison system). This case, along with the deaths of Aborigines in custody, was highlighted at Black Lives Matter rallies across Australia in June 2020. The new CtG plan stipulates that each state and territory commits to reducing the number of indigenous youth detained from 11% to 19% and reducing adult detention by 5%. Despite the poor track record of achieving the goals in recent years, Indigenous leaders who participated in Closing the Gap believe that the strategies put in place for this round – including implementation plans, accountability and engagement of Indigenous services – are more likely to bring about the necessary changes.

Ken Wyatt believes that legislative reforms and attitudes such as unconscious bias are needed to improve relations between police and Indigenous peoples. [18] The 2020 Gap Reduction Report shows little progress against either target, as only two of the seven targets have yet been met (four expired in 2018). [27] The Prime Minister`s foreword indicates that the final results of the previous twelve years` evidence were not expected, but that there were stories and successes worth celebrating and that progress had been made in almost every action, including in the key areas of health and education. Morrison wrote that “the new framework is based on a true partnership.” [28] All Australian governments met on September 30. Committed to the 16 new goals in July 2020 and signed the National Gap Reduction Agreement with the Coalition of Peaks, represented by Coordinator Pat Turner AM. In addition, the new framework for the Closing the Gap strategy, supported by both parties, includes a much greater involvement of Indigenous peoples in leading their implementation and measuring their progress, new accountability mechanisms, and a commitment to addressing structural racism in government organizations. [9] This agreement stems from the commitment of all Australian governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives to adopt and implement policies and programmes that impact the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Indigenous Australians living in poorer rural communities may have to travel long distances to access hospitals or medical assistance. Compared to non-indigenous Australians, they experience lower health standards, shorter life expectancy and other statistically confirmed results. [29] The additional cost of accessing health care has contributed to a growing gap in life expectancy, as Australians living in cities have 24-hour access to doctors and nurses, while those living in rural areas are three times more likely to have a shorter life due to the lack of health care options. [Citation needed] The Parties agree to conduct all activities under this Agreement in a manner that respects, promotes and does not diminish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

This obligation shall form part of the new working method agreed by the Parties under this Agreement. The Parties agree to demonstrate this commitment through their implementation plans. In Western Australia, there were specific issues to be addressed, including systemic discrimination[19] and the issue of imprisonment for unpaid fines. Finally, on 17 June 2020, reforms to the latter`s legislation were adopted. Under the new law, most defaulters will perform community service if they do not pay, with incarceration being a last resort. [Note 1] [20] Published: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government, 2020 The Australian government adopted the goals of the Close the Gap campaign in 2008[4] as part of a strategy known as “Closing the Gap”. [5] Rudd and Health Minister Nicola Roxon signed the “Filling the Gap” Memorandum of Understanding to fill this gap […].