SNAICC – National Voice for our Children supports the Productivity Commission’s recommendations to drive progress and improve life outcomes under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The Productivity Commission today released the first of its three-yearly reviews of the National Agreement, with a strong recommendation Governments need to move out of a business-as-usual mindset and embrace power-sharing arrangements.
SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said the Productivity Commission had pulled no punches in its assessment of the Government’s failure to meet its commitments under the National Agreement.
“This is not just about resourcing, though adequate funding is vital to making sure changes are driven and they hit the ground to have real, positive impact on lives and in communities,” Ms. Liddle said.
“There must also be a commitment on behalf of all governments to substantially shift the way they operate, think about and interact with ACCOs.
“With other foundation members of Coalition of Peaks, SNAICC entered this agreement in 2020 in good faith and hope that change at the Government level would drive transformation in the lives of our people.
“Despite our best efforts this hasn’t happened. It’s past time all Governments got serious about changing the way they work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations.
“The Productivity Commission was blunt in its assessment that without fundamental change the Agreement will fail. Australia cannot afford to keep failing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Ms. Liddle thanked the Productivity Commission for its work and noted in particular the efforts of Commissioners Romlie Mokak and Natalie Siegel-Brown.
“The Commissioners have championed our calls for real change in the way all governments do business with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations and we would like to particularly thank outgoing Commissioner Romlie Mokak for his efforts.
“Their report makes it clear that governments and their decision-makers do not know best when it comes to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We know what works best for us.”
SNAICC looks forward to further discussions on the Productivity Commission’s recommendation that the National Agreement be amended to better drive change and achieve outcomes.
“We are looking forward to the Prime Minister’s statement next week on the anniversary of the National Apology. SNAICC urges the PM to be bold and create a path for real change to address the entrenched disadvantage that exists for our children and families.”
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For all media queries, please contact Mandy Taylor on 0414 63459 or media@snaicc.org.au.
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