What are we asking for?
$100 million per annum for four years provided directly to local governments to support the capabilities of Indigenous councils and the implementation of Closing the Gap local/regional voice.
Why is it important?
There is an urgent need to reduce the social and economic disadvantage that Indigenous Australians, particularly those living in remote communities, have suffered for decades.
In 2020, ALGA co-signed a landmark agreement marking a new chapter in the national effort to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
At the heart of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Partnership are four agreed priority reform targets and 16 socio-economic targets in areas including education, employment, health and wellbeing, justice, safety, housing, land and waters, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
The Indigenous Voice Co-design Final Report to the Australian Government was released in December 2021. The Local & Regional Voice will contribute to achieving the Closing the Gap outcomes by providing avenues for Indigenous voices to be heard, including to provide feedback to government on Closing the Gap.
In late 2021, ALGA published its Implementation Plan for this Partnership Agreement which will enhance the shared policy development and decision-making at the local government level.
As the level of government closest to the people, we have an essential role supporting and helping to steer the development of policies and programs in partnership with local Indigenous peoples that address these priorities at the local and regional level.
We also play a positive role in reconciliation and celebrating Indigenous culture and identity, and sustainably funded could work effectively to reduce Indigenous disadvantage in all its forms.
How would it support our communities?
In December 2021, the City of Cockburn Council endorsed the building of a $12.5 million Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre.
Planned for completion in 2023, the centre will include cultural education, meeting spaces, art and performance spaces, a visitors information centre and café. It will also provide employment and small business opportunities for local Aboriginal people.
The project has attracted state government funding, but further assistance is needed from the Commonwealth for capital works to start.
Mayor Logan Howlett said: “The centre will celebrate and share Aboriginal and Wadjuk Nyungar culture and it has the potential to be a unique and highly valuable cultural and community asset.
“Financial support from the Federal Government will help to make this a reality.”
