INDEPENDENT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-Led Review of Closing the Gap

The Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review will capture how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people influence decisions, awareness of the National Agreement’s goals, and experiences of power-sharing.

It will also examine how governments and community-controlled organisations have adapted, the alignment between expectations and outcomes, and the overall impact on communities.

The Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review will involve five key parts:

1. Intensive Forums in the Pace-Based Partnership Communities

Jumbunna will engage six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander local Community Researchers – one per place-based partnership community to support the Review at the local level. The Jumbunna Team and the Community Researchers will undertake the following engagement activities in those communities, observing appropriate cultural requirements:

• Invite community members involved in Closing the Gap to complete a Computer Aided Self-Interview (CASI) Survey, with the community researcher on hand to support anyone with access issues.

• Conduct yarning circles for people in your community who have been part of the National Agreement activities and processes.

• Conduct 2-hour forums with local ACCOs and ACCHOs.

• Conduct interviews in the communities or virtually with people who have been involved locally in the National Agreement activities and processes.

2. Stakeholder interviews

Jumbunna will be interviewing key stakeholders involved in implementation of the Agreement. These will be online in-depth interviews with organisations and individuals involved in the implementation of the Agreement such as National Policy Partnership members, organisations that assisted with sector strengthening plans. This will include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation as and the Government representatives involved in these activities.

3. Online submission

The submission process will aim to capture more structured input, particularly from organisations or groups with relevant expertise or interests. Submissions will be able to be lodged either via email direct to Jumbunna researchers or via phone for those experiencing barriers to lodgement.

4. Survey

Based on the outcomes of the desktop review and targeted stakeholder conversations a survey will be developed, The survey will include open-ended questions to allow participants to share detailed insights.

Open the survey here.

For more details about what the Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review will capture, see below: What the Review will capture.

5. The Assembly

Apply to attend

The Coalition of Peaks will convene a face-to-face Assembly (gathering) of representatives from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector, other key stakeholders, and subject matter experts. Key priorities of the Assembly are to explore where we’re at now and ways to improve the implementation of the National Agreement. It is also about fostering engagement and collaboration across sectors.

Date: 1 – 3 April 2025
Location: QT Hotel, Ngunnawal Country (Canberra)

To participate in the Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review or attend the Assembly, you must meet the eligibility requirements. Please see, Who can participate?.

The Terms of Reference for submissions to the Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review will capture your insights and experiences including:

• Awareness: What is your understanding of the National Agreement’s goals and objectives

• Participation: How have you been able to influence decisions on policy and programs that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?

• Power-sharing: What is your experience of working in partnership with government (national, state/territory and local), communities and organisations?

• Adaptation: How do you think governments and community-controlled organisations, including peak bodies, have adapted to new ways of working together, under the Agreement?

• Expectations vs. Reality: Is there alignment between initial goals and real-world outcomes, specifically regarding formal partnerships and decision-making under the National Agreement?

• Impact: How have these changes influenced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review will also:

• Compare findings with previous reviews and incorporate feedback from the Productivity Commission Review.

• Provide actionable recommendations to accelerate progress on Priority Reforms.

• Guide partnership discussions for 2025 and beyond.