National Indigenous Reform Agreement (Closing the Gap)
National Indigenous Reform Agreement (Closing the Gap) Report
- Author(s): Council of Australian Governments,
- Published: 2011
Abstract: 1. This agreement is created subject to the provisions of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations and should be read in conjunction with that Agreement and subsidiary schedules. In particular, the schedules include direction in respect of performance reporting and payment arrangements. 2. The Parties are committed to addressing the issue of social inclusion. That commitment is embodied in the objectives and outcomes of this Agreement. However, the Parties have also agreed other objectives and outcomes which the Parties will pursue through the broadest possible spectrum of government action. Consequently, this agreement will be implemented consistently with the objectives and outcomes of all National Agreements and National Partnerships entered into by the Parties. 3. In December 2007, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a partnership between all levels of government to work with Indigenous communities to achieve the target of Closing the Gap in Indigenous disadvantage. 4. This National Indigenous Reform Agreement has been established to frame the task of Closing the Gap in Indigenous disadvantage. It sets out the objectives, outcomes, outputs, performance indicators and performance benchmarks agreed by COAG. It also provides links to those National Agreements and National Partnership agreements across COAG which include elements aimed at Closing the Gap in Indigenous disadvantage. 5. The National Integrated Strategy for Closing the Gap in Indigenous Disadvantage can be found at Schedule A. The foundation of the Closing the Gap Strategy is the identification of and commitment to targets addressing Indigenous disadvantage, and associated building blocks – areas for action. This Strategy acknowledges the importance of Indigenous culture, and engagement and positive relationships with Indigenous Australians. It discusses the contribution of the current COAG reform initiatives to meeting the targets, the frameworks for accountability and performance reporting, and also signals areas for future work. 6. The National Indigenous Reform Agreement, like other National Agreements, is a living document subject to enhancement over time to reflect additions and changes to existing and new National Agreements and National Partnership agreements. As COAG agrees to additional reforms to Close the Gap in Indigenous disadvantage, these will be reflected in this Agreement.