Coalition of Peaks to hold a local Closing the Gap engagement today in Launceston

Launceston will today host a face-to-face meeting on the development of a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The meeting is an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to tell the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled peak organisations (Coalition of Peaks) and the Tasmanian government what changes are needed to improve their lives.

The Coalition of Peaks Lead Convener, Pat Turner said we must ensure that Aboriginal people in Tasmania have their voices truly heard and understood as the Coalition of Peaks work with Australian Governments to develop a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The National Agreement will set out how governments and the Coalition of Peaks will work together over the next ten years to support better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“It is important that the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap reflect the expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We must be at the centre of decision-making because we know what works best for our communities,” Turner said.

“This time the Coalition of Peaks has the opportunity to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the negotiating table with governments, so we want to ensure that we engage communities around Australia in the process.

“The Coalition of Peaks will be leading face-to-face meetings in every state and territory and we’re looking forward to hearing what Aboriginal people here in Launceston today have to say.

The face-to-face discussions are part of a comprehensive set of community engagements, which also include Peak consultations with its own membership and an online survey, open until October 25.

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Media Release – Coalition of Peaks to hold a local Closing the Gap engagement today in Launceston

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