Governance
The Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap is between Australian governments and the Coalition of Peaks (the Parties). It sets out how the Parties work together on Closing the Gap. Here’s how it works:
The parties
Meet the parties to the Partnership Agreement and find out what they do.
Coalition of Peaks
The Coalition of Peaks is made up of more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled peak bodies and members across Australia, who represent some 800 organisations. The Coalition of Peaks bring forward the views of their members and communities to all their discussions with governments.
Australian Governments
Australian governments include Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, and the Australian Local Government Association.
Joint Council
The Partnership Agreement establishes a Joint Council on Closing the Gap (the Joint Council), that includes representatives of all parties to the National Agreement.
The Joint Council is the first National Cabinet Council that has formal non-government membership. Its role is to support national leadership, coordination, and cooperation on Closing the Gap and provide advice to National Cabinet.
Membership of the Joint Council is made up of 12 members of the Coalition of Peaks, elected by us, the Indigenous Affairs Minister from each government, and the President of the Australian Local Government Association.
The Joint Council is Co-Chaired by a representative of the Coalition of the Peaks agreed by us and the Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous Australians.
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Pat Turner
Joint Council Co-Chair
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Jamie Lowe
Subject matter representative for economic development
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Muriel Bamblett
Subject matter representative for education and families
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Donnella Mills
Subject matter representative for health and wellbeing
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Dr John Paterson
Representative for the Northern Territory
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Paula McGrady
Representative for the Australian Capital Territory
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Vicki O’Donnell OAM
Representative for Western Australia
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Scott Wilson
Representative for South Australia
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Wynetta Dewis
Representative for Queensland
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Nerita Waight
Representative for Victoria
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Graeme Gardner
Representative for Tasmania
Partnership Working Group
A Partnership Working Group has been established to drive implementation of the National and Partnership agreements, and support the workplan of Joint Council.
The Partnership Working Group (PWG) is made up of nominated senior officials from each jurisdiction and members of the Coalition of Peaks. Its primary role is the implementation of the Partnership Agreement, the National Agreement, and the decisions of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap, including resolution of issues referred to it by the Joint Council.
The PWG is accountable to the Joint Council on Closing the Gap. Individual members of the PWG are accountable to their jurisdictions (for officials) or the Coalition of Peaks (for its representatives).
