The Albanese Government has released the Terms of Reference for the second Productivity Commission Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The goal of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is to overcome the entrenched inequality faced by too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Productivity Commission will assess the outcomes, effectiveness and impact of measures by all governments and the Coalition of Peaks to reach Closing the Gap targets, in addition to progress towards the targets.
The Government has requested the Productivity Commission complete a more explicit examination of funding, investment practices and community-controlled sector resourcing, including whether government expenditure is aligned with, and supporting, the National Agreement’s Priority Reforms.
As part of the review, the Productivity Commission will consult broadly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations, and with local, state, territory and Commonwealth governments.
The Productivity Commission will provide its final report to the Joint Council on Closing the Gap by late 2027.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Jim Chalmers:
“Closing the Gap is all about improving the lives and prospects of First Nations people and that makes it an important focus for the economic portfolios.
“Releasing these Terms of Reference will help the Productivity Commission get the work underway.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The Albanese Government is committed to Closing the Gap, working in partnership with the Coalition of Peaks as well as the states, territories and local government.
“The National Agreement provides a pathway for change for First Nations people and communities, and we are building on what is working.
“The Productivity Commission review, along with the Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Review, is an important part of making sure all partners are accountable to their commitments to the National Agreement.”
Quotes attributable to Coalition of Peaks Lead Convenor, Donnella Mills:
“The National Agreement is a landmark framework - ambitious in scope, grounded in four Priority Reforms and designed to change the way governments work with our people and communities.
“Positive outcomes are achieved when governments have genuinely partnered with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, it is now up to all governments to demonstrate and lead the change our people have said is needed to shift the dial in areas of health, housing, education, employment and justice.
“Smart investment, longer-term flexible funding, and full implementation of the four Priority Reforms is what is needed.
“Governments must be held to account for delivering on the funding commitments agreed in the Closing the Gap Agreement. That is what this review will deliver, a clear view of whether that investment has been made.”