Coalition of Peaks take stock of Closing the Gap Progress

Members of the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks) will meet in Melbourne this week to take stock of progress being made on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.   

Made up of more than 70 community-controlled organisations representing thousands of First Nations Australians, the Coalition of Peaks came together as an act of self-determination, to change the way Australian governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

The Peaks share a belief that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should share in decision making about policies and programs that impact us, through formal partnerships with Australian governments at all levels.

This formal partnership sees the Coalition of Peaks working with governments throughout Australia on four Priority Reforms and 17 socio-economic targets.  

Lead Convener of the Coalition of Peaks, Pat Turner AM, said the meeting in Melbourne is an opportunity to celebrate the work being done across Australia, and identify areas where more focus is needed.  

“This is hard work, but it’s vital work. Our country has unforgiveable gaps in the life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians in all aspects of life, including mortality, chronic disease, disability rates, housing, security, education, employment, and wealth”, said Ms Turner.  

“These gaps have burdened our people and caused the erosion of health and wellbeing of generations of First Nations Australians. The National Agreement represented a turning point in our country’s efforts to close these gaps, but implementing it requires constant work and attention.

“Bringing Coalition of Peaks Members together allows us to assess the progress being made, and hold governments at all levels accountable for their implementation responsibilities”, Ms Turner said.  

Head of the Coalition of Peaks Secretariat, Casey Millward, said the meeting reflected the maturing of the Coalition of Peaks.

“The Coalition of Peaks formed in 2018, and the National Agreement was signed in 2020. We’re past the excitement of the historic agreement and well into implementation of it”, Ms Millward said. 

“Being able to hear about progress being made, and discuss additional priorities and opportunities for progress, helps ensure our organisations are doing everything in our power to achieve the outcomes in the National Agreement.”  

Find out more about the Coalition of Peaks and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap at www.coalitionofpeaks.org.au