ACT becomes first jurisdiction to legislate Closing the Gap commitments
New legislation officially came into effect today, making the ACT the first jurisdiction to officially legislate Closing the Gap commitments.
The Public Sector (Closing the Gap) Legislation Amendment Act 2025 makes progress on Closing the Gap a shared responsibility across the ACT Public Service.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) has played a central role in shaping the legislation and advocating for reforms that move Closing the Gap beyond aspiration and into action.
For ATSIEB, the legislation is about more than changing the way government operates. It is about creating a stronger partnership between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, where decisions are made with community, not for community.
The reforms require government to embed Closing the Gap into the way it develops policy, delivers services, measures performance and works alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. They also strengthen accountability by making progress everyone’s responsibility across the public service, rather than the responsibility of a single area.
ATSIEB Chairperson Maurice Walker said the legislation reflected years of advocacy to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are genuinely heard in government decision-making.
‘Closing the Gap has always been about changing the way governments work with our communities. Real change happens when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are involved in the decisions that affect our lives, our families and our futures.’
He said legislating the commitments was an important step towards embedding self-determination across government.
‘These reforms are an important step towards making Closing the Gap a shared responsibility across the ACT Government. ATSIEB looks forward to continuing to work in partnership with government to implement these changes, while also holding government to account for delivering on its commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.’
For the Canberra community, the legislation lays the foundation for more culturally informed policies and services, stronger partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), greater transparency, and improved accountability for outcomes. It also reinforces the principle that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have a genuine voice in the design, delivery and evaluation of programs and services that affect them.
ATSIEB recognises and celebrates the exceptional work of ACCOs, which have long been at the forefront of supporting, advocating for and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. The introduction of this legislation reinforces the importance of community-led solutions and provides a stronger framework for ATSIEB and ACCOs to work together in partnership. By embedding Closing the Gap commitments across government, these reforms will help strengthen shared decision-making, support self-determination and ensure the expertise and leadership of ACCOs remain central to achieving meaningful and lasting outcomes.
Self-determination sits at the heart of Closing the Gap. ATSIEB has consistently advocated for government to move beyond consultation and towards shared decision-making, recognising that better outcomes are achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lead the solutions for their own communities.
ATSIEB has worked closely with the ACT Government throughout the development and implementation of the reforms, contributing to governance arrangements, co-design processes and mechanisms that strengthen accountability and partnership across the ACT Public Service. That work has helped shift Closing the Gap from a standalone initiative to a whole-of-government responsibility supported by stronger governance, cultural capability and ongoing engagement with the Elected Body.
While ATSIEB welcomes today’s milestone, it says the legislation is only the beginning.
ATSIEB will continue to work alongside government to ensure the reforms deliver meaningful improvements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the ACT. It will also continue its role in representing community voices, advocating for self-determination and holding government accountable for delivering on the commitments made under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
