Indigenous leaders respond to PM’s Garma speech: Shared decision-making key to economic development and closing the gap

Partnership and shared decision-making between governments and communities is key to closing the gap, according to the peak body for around 800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.

Following the Prime Minister’s speech at the Garma Festival this morning, the Coalition of Peaks welcomed Anthony Albanese’s comments on partnership, and called for accelerated action to turn commitments into reality. 

Coalition of Peaks Lead Convenor, Patricia Turner, said federal, state and territory governments agreed to a partnership approach when they signed the National Agreement on Closing the Gap in 2020. 

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must have a seat at the table when decisions are being made that affect our lives. We know what our communities need. We know what leads to better outcomes,” Ms Turner said. 

The Prime Minister outlined a particular focus on economic development, noting that his government was working with the Coalition of Peaks to develop a First Nations Economic Partnership.

Ms Turner said policy partnerships such as this require governments to relinquish some power and come to decisions by consensus with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives.

“The partnership will focus on the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations, supporting job creation and translating our knowledge, assets, and rights into sustainable benefits,” she said.

“This new way of working ensures parties can regularly and directly meet with senior government officials on equal footing, and governments are required to report on progress.”

Ms Turner said it would also be important for the government to work with Traditional Owners and heritage protection bodies on renewable energy projects and other economic development projects involving natural resources. 

She said funding and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations would be key to the success of economic development projects. 

“The last thing we want to see is funding for training and job creation programs going to organisations which are not led by, and do not fundamentally understand our people,” Ms Turner said. 

“We need opportunities for our people to train and upskill on Country, in their communities, so they can take on the jobs their community desperately needs – whether that be in renewable energy, health, education or the care sector.

“Creating jobs and fair and sustainable income streams is key to closing the gap and doing so requires a continued focus on the health, education and wellbeing of our people, alongside the creation of economic opportunities. 

“All of this must be done in a way that centres the knowledge and experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – governments cannot assume they know what is best for us.”