AGLA has called on the Federal Government to provide $7 million over four years in the upcoming Budget for a new local government Indigenous Partnership Network.
Local government associations across Australia need extra support to work closely with governments, councils and peak bodies to progress Closing the Gap, and new funding would enable councils to collect data to help inform and improve cultural competency and First Nations representation.
As the closest level of government to communities, councils can play a vital role in reducing Indigenous disadvantage, help to achieve better outcomes for First Nations people and support reconciliation.
Enabling ALGA and its seven state and territory member associations to employ one Indigenous Affairs Policy Officer would help to:
- Facilitate significant progress against Closing the Gap priorities across the local government sector.
- Access de-identified data at a local council level to help identify ways to improve representation of First Nations people in local government.
- Promote, advocate and advance partnerships between councils and their First Nations people to identify local priorities, promote co-design and shared decision-making.
- Build cultural competency of councils and their capacity to work appropriately with local First Nations peoples.
- Facilitate partnerships and capacity building between councils and relevant First Nations peoples/organisations.
- Act as a link between levels of government and relevant peak organisations representing First Nations peoples.
- Coordinate local government promotion of awareness of the Government’s Voice referendum.
Read more: https://alga.com.au/app/uploads/ALGA-Pre-Budget-Submission-23-24_Indigenous.pdf