Closing the Gap

Local governments play an important role in helping to Close the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

ALGA is a proud signatory to the National Closing the Gap Agreement and is committed to shared decision-making at a local level.

Our role is to help ensure local governments better understand the Agreement and its commitments, and encourage the adoption of the priority reforms and targets where possible.

However, the Productivity Commission Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap said the Federal and state and territory governments are not supporting or involving local government in Closing the Gap reforms.

ALGA is calling for more resourcing and funding for local government, including through place-based initiatives or broader programs to enable councils to better facilitate and meet program objectives in their communities.

ALGA is also advocating for the Commonwealth to:

• Establish a national framework/set of protocols outlining which Federal Government departments/agencies should engage with local government in placed-based initiatives, and planning for community-level projects or expenditure.
• Seek greater local government input in programs that impact on Closing the Gap targets to better shape programs with local knowledge and the needs of specific communities.
• Develop programs, with state and territory governments, to include funded support positions for local government coordination and partnership efforts (including member associations).
• Recognise councils with majority or all Aboriginal-elected members in policy and program development (similar to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations/Aboriginal Business Enterprises).

The Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap

Local governments can play an important role in supporting better outcomes for First Nations peoples and the ALGA submission highlights the sector’s readiness to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. However, local governments remain under-resourced for key activities and are often excluded from Agreement implementation processes and key discussions.

The ALGA response to the Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap provides recommendations for the support required to translate commitment from local government to closing the gap into meaningful, sustained action. This includes clear role definition in state and territory implementation plans, dedicated and tailored funding streams, and co-designed frameworks to build capability. Recognition of First Nations-led councils in procurement and a funded plan to transition services to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations with local government partnership will ensure continuity, equity, and sustainability.

With investment and coordinated support, local governments can play a central role in delivering CtG outcomes.

More information on the Review can be found here.

Native Title

ALGA believes councils need to be involved in Native Title determinations affecting local regions to ensure there’s a smooth transition of service delivery, and resources are factored into any determinations.

To achieve this, ALGA is asking for local governments to be better resourced and supported to be part of this process.

Reconciliation

ALGA and Reconciliation Australia are working together to develop tools for local governments to incorporate reconciliation strategies into everyday business.

This will help to facilitate reconciliation by building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and First Nations peoples.

Learn more about local governments and Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) and how they are implementing strategies in communities.