Page 1230 - Week 04 - Thursday, 26 March 2015
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MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, what input has the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community had into the development of the agreement?
MS BERRY: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has been a driving force in the development of this agreement. Last year the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body facilitated two forums on behalf of the government, bringing together key community members to identify key focus areas and discuss issues such as reconciliation, self-determination and the ways to pursue these together with government.
The government also hosted four workshops, and Minister Rattenbury held a roundtable which brought together community representatives, peak bodies and service partners, generating very positive input around the ability of all these stakeholders to work together under the agreement.
This interest and input has continued since I have been appointed as minister, and I thank all those who have contributed for their honest and insightful input. The final agreement has sought to reflect all of this and balance the different points of view which have been expressed. In particular, the key theme of strong families emerged from the consultation processes as central to achieving gains in many other areas, and it takes a central place in the final agreement.
Through the agreement, we also, importantly, acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the land and the elders as the authority on local Aboriginal culture and heritage. Our acknowledgement of traditional custodians—something we observe daily at different events and functions across government—is a true acknowledgement of the history of this land, and we continue it through this agreement.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, how will the agreement influence the work of the government?
MS BERRY: Once the agreement is formalised, it will interact with policies and programs of the government as they affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It captures the entirety of the government and the public service to help ensure government initiatives roll out in ways that are culturally sensitive and seek to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community.
While at the territory level we tend to perform well on key indicators, including those under the closing the gap strategy, we know inequality persists and we believe a truly whole-of-government agreement is key to responding to them in a permanent, structural way.
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