Government partnerships

Partnerships between governments and Aboriginal people, organisations and communities, are a vital element of working towards better life outcomes for Aboriginal people in Western Australia.

The development of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap was made possible by a historic partnership between all Australian governments and the Coalition of Peaks , the Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The WA Government’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plans set out the WA Government’s approach to partnering to work towards the outcomes under the National Agreement, including under Priority Reform 1: Formal Partnerships and Shared Decision-making

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is also a signatory to the National Closing the Gap Agreement. ALGA’s role is to help ensure local governments better understand the Agreement and its commitments, and encourage the adoption of the priority reforms and socioeconomic targets where possible. More information including ALGA’s Implementation Plan can be found at Closing the Gap – ALGA.

Two key strategies which provide guidance to government agencies with regard to partnering with Aboriginal people, organisations and communities are the Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy 2021 – 2029 and the WA Whole-of-Government Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Strategy.

Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy 2021 – 2029

The Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy 2021-2029 outlines a high-level framework for future State Government policies, plans, initiatives and programs that contribute to better outcomes for Aboriginal people, built around genuine partnerships and engagement with Aboriginal stakeholders, strong accountability, and culturally responsive ways of working.

The Strategy also sets out the State’s approach to meeting its commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

You can access the Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy Policy Guide, Strategy Overview and Community Guide at Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy – Western Australia 2021-2029

WA Governments Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Strategy 2022 – 2032

The Whole-of-Government ACCO Strategy sets out the approach for WA Government agencies commissioning community services to fulfil the relevant commitments of the Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy and the National Agreement. It provides high-level strategic policy direction to guide and drive implementation across government to empower Aboriginal people and increase opportunities for ACCOs.

The intent behind the ACCO Strategy is that when ACCOs are involved in planning, designing and delivering services, Aboriginal people are more likely to engage with those services and likely to experience better outcomes. This is because ACCOs are accountable to their communities, Aboriginal people make the key decisions, ACCOs are connected to their local communities. Details on the ACCO Strategy’s three objectives and four focus areas are available at Whole of Government ACCO Strategy.

Joint Council and partnership

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to establish the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in December 2018. This formed a key part of its commitment to a formal Partnership on Closing the Gap with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In March 2019, a formal Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap was established between the Commonwealth Government, State and Territory Governments, the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks), and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

The Coalition of Peaks comprises of over fifty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations and was formed for the purpose of negotiating with Governments to develop the National Agreement. The Coalition of Peaks represents the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled (ACCOs) sector and each member is accountable to their communities.

You can read more on the Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap 2019 – 2029

On the 3 July 2020 the Joint Council agreed to the National Agreement and endorsed it to be presented to First Ministers of all Australian Governments, the Lead Convener of the Coalition of the Peaks and the President of ALGA. On 27 July 2020, the National Agreement was agreed upon by all parties and came into effect

Links and resources

Closing the Gap

Supporting the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Sector

Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy – Western Australia 2021-2029

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Strategy 2022 – 2032

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Partnerships

Working in partnership to create thriving, inclusive communities, promote culture and care for Country

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