Local government Closing the Gap: A way forward for Australian communities

A new
resource to accelerate efforts to provide greater opportunities for Indigenous
Australians at the local community level has been published by the Australian
Local Government Association (ALGA).

Developed
by ALGA and its state and territory association members, the guide sets out key
actions councils can undertake to meet the priority reforms laid out under the
landmark National Agreement on Closing the Gap signed in 2020.

ALGA’s
Closing the Gap Implementation Plan will:

• Support Australian local
  governments to harness the opportunities provided to communities by the
  national Closing the Gap Plan;
• assist state and territory
  governments to work with local governments in the implementation of the
  National Closing the Gap Agreement; and
• support strengthened shared
  decision-making at the local level, supporting local governments to better
  partner with the Commonwealth, states and territory governments, and local
  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

ALGA
President Linda Scott said the Implementation Plan reflects local government’s
strong commitment to giving First Nations people the means to build stronger
communities, particularly by accelerating new employment opportunities at the
local government level.

“In
many communities, councils are proud to be a major employer of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples, and benefit from the skills of our highly
trained, knowledgeable people in the work we do,” Cr Scott said.

“This
Implementation Plan is also about providing local governments additional tools
to embrace collaboration with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities to deliver the Closing the Gap objectives in ways tailored to their
individual circumstances and needs.”

Councils
are the level of government closest to the people and play an essential role in
supporting and helping to steer the development of policies and programs in
partnership with local Indigenous peoples that address our priorities at local
and regional levels.  

To
help ensure better life outcomes for First Nations peoples, local governments
have advocated strongly for council representatives to be engaged in the
co-design of the Indigenous Voice – and for Aboriginal community-controlled
councils to be recognised nationally.

To
help ensure better opportunities for First Nations peoples, local governments
have advocated strongly for council representatives to be engaged in the co-design
of the Indigenous Voice and for Aboriginal community-controlled councils to be
recognised nationally.

A
motion to support the recognition of Aboriginal controlled councils and ensure
stronger collaboration across all levels of government won unanimous support at
the National General Assembly of Local Government in June after being put
forward by the East Arnhem Regional Council.

The
neighbouring West Arnhem Regional Council supports indigenous employment by
being a member of Supply Nation – a national database of verified Indigenous
businesses facilitating closer connections between Indigenous businesses and
procurement departments.

“Our
Implementation Plan will build on this work and enhance the shared policy
development and decision-making at the local government level that is
fundamental to support the development of First Nations communities,” Cr Scott
said.

Australia’s
reputation as an egalitarian society that values a fair go for all has been
sullied by repeated failures over many decades to ensure Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples have the same life outcomes as non-indigenous
Australians.

“I am
confident this Implementation Plan will enable local governments to work more
effectively at transforming local lives through providing local jobs and career
pathways,” Cr Scott said.

ENDS