Historic meeting with Cabinet Ministers marks turning point in Closing the Gap
The first formal sub-committee meeting of the ACT Cabinet has met for the first time, marking a step forward for Closing the Gap. The group of ACT Government Ministers, senior public servants and the Elected Body form the sub-committee, designed to deliver greater impact across all areas of government.
The meeting follows a series of reviews and reports that outline areas requiring renewed effort and focus. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to working in genuine partnership under the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019–2028, and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and its Priority Reforms.
The meeting also affirmed a shared commitment to transparency, regular engagement between Cabinet and the Elected Body, and an ongoing focus on measuring impact and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the Territory.
We are engaged with the ACT Government on a wide range of matters of significance to community, including:
- finalising the next implementation and reporting phase of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement across all ACT Government directorates
- implementing transitional arrangements to support return of Boomanulla Oval to community control
- consideration of the most appropriate governance structure for response to the Jumbunna Institute report on the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT criminal justice system.
The new Cabinet subcommittee approach will see greater coordination across directorates, a stronger voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, dedicated action in transforming government systems and clearer accountability for results.
Chairperson Maurice Walker says, ‘This is a very positive and practical step forward. We’ve had many reports that show what needs to change – this meeting was about collective responsibility and turning that knowledge into action. We want to see measurable improvement for our people and a stronger, more connected system that listens and delivers.’
