The objective of the Productivity Commission`s implementation of the quarterly reviews of the Agreement is to provide an analysis of progress on priority reforms, targets, indicators and trajectories, to examine factors contributing to progress, to assess lessons learned and, where appropriate, to include advice or highlight areas for improvement. For more information, see the new national agreement on gap reduction. The main objective of the national agreement is to enable and facilitate cooperation within the partnership to ensure the implementation of the best plan to eliminate and mitigate inequalities suffered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is important that the National Accord be the result of extensive consultation. The expertise and experience of the Coalition of Peaks will be at the heart of the success of the National Accord. The Coalition of Peaks will continue to hear the views and expertise of Elders, traditional owners, Indigenous title holders and others as the National Accord is implemented. The National Accord was identified as a turning point in Indigenous affairs and the relationship between Indigenous peoples and governments. As announced by Coalition of the Peaks Executive Chairman Pat Turner on July 30, 2020, “this puts the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community at the heart of Closing the Gap.” It is gratifying and long overdue that Governments are now engaging in a genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and peoples. In addition, with the 4 priority areas for reform and the 16 socio-economic goals, hope has been restored in efforts to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The National Gap Reduction Agreement (National Accord), published on 30 July 2020, is the first partnership of its kind between Australian governments (federal, state and local governments) and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks). The partnership is an alliance of more than 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-controlled umbrella organizations, covering a wide range of groups from housing and health to education and cultural groups. This partnership is the culmination of months of negotiations that have resulted in 16 socio-economic objectives and four priority reforms. The 2019 Closing the Gap report indicated that of the seven goals, only two – early childhood education and Grade 12 completion – had been achieved.
The goals of halving the infant mortality gap by 2018, closing the school attendance gap by 2018, closing the life expectancy gap by 2031, halving the literacy and numeracy gap by 2018, and halving the unemployment gap by 2018 were not on track. [8] According to a 2014 article in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, improving diet would help fill this gap. [30] In July 2020, a new national agreement was announced to bridge the gap between the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations and all Australian governments (federal, state and territorial governments and the Australian Local Government Association). The parties committed to a new way of developing and implementing policies and programs that improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The aim of the National Accord is to overcome the deep-rooted inequalities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to push for equal outcomes of life for all Australians. This new national agreement has been developed in four priority areas of reform; On 3 July 2020, the Joint Council met to discuss the final draft national agreement to bridge the gap. This is the first national agreement of its kind; it was developed in true partnership between the Coalition of Peaks and Australian governments. The Closing the Gap 2020 report shows little progress on any of the goals, as only two of the seven goals have still 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] The National Accord sets out a strategy to close the gap, which is strongly based on and supported by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander priorities. It is based on four new priority reforms that are changing the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to improve outcomes. Priority reforms have been massively supported during commitments. At its meetings in December 2007 and March 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) adopted six goals to improve the well-being of Indigenous Australians over the next five to twenty years. As part of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd`s apology to Indigenous Australians in February 2008, he promised the government to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian health, education and living conditions. [2] He also proposed the creation of a commission to close the “gap” between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in terms of “life expectancy, educational achievement, and economic opportunity” in a manner that respects their right to self-determination. [3] All Australian governments committed to the 16 new targets on 30 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] 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. 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] Another important asset of the new National Agreement is Priority Reform Area 2, which strengthens the Community-controlled sector, which focuses on a strong and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled sector, providing high quality services to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country. 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] Goals to close the gap are related to life expectancy; infant mortality; access to early childhood education; reading, writing and numeracy skills at certain grade levels; Year 12 performance; school attendance; and employment outcomes. Since 2008, eleven gap reduction reports have been submitted to Parliament from December 2019, containing data in areas where previously no gap reports have been completed and progress has been reported. The 2019 Closing the Gap report indicated that of the seven goals, only two – early childhood education and Grade 12 completion – had been achieved. .