Page 26 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 13 February 2018
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The ACT government signed the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement with the elected body in April 2015, following extensive consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and service providers from the Canberra community. The agreement identifies seven focus areas to improve life outcomes through the key theme of strong families.
Members will be aware that in November last year I tabled the 2017 annual report against the agreement, the first report to reflect the new outcomes framework. The annual report highlights programs, initiatives and key performance data on the ACT’s progress towards improving outcomes for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. In partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, we will soon be engaging with the community on its priorities for a refreshed agreement. The new agreement is expected to cover a period of five years, which will allow for a forward-thinking, coordinated approach.
Improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is about not just strategies and agreements but also recognition and celebration within our community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s culture and contribution to our region. Last year a new Reconciliation Day public holiday was established, with tripartisan support here in the Legislative Assembly. The inaugural holiday will be held on 28 May and then every year on or just after 27 May, which is the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and the first day of Reconciliation Week.
The government is supporting a series of events to mark Reconciliation Day 2018, Australia’s first public holiday celebrating the culture, contribution and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Funding of $200,000 is going towards a flagship community event to mark Reconciliation Day and enabling grassroots organisations to fully participate in the celebrations to ensure Reconciliation Day has a strong community focus. The Reconciliation Day grants program which is now open will support activities that promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, encourage understanding of the impact of historical events on the community and support meaningful community engagement and interaction.
Moving forward, and in the theme of reconciliation, the ACT government will seek to implement a number of measures, including co-design principles whereby giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a voice at the table and being transparent are key, and implementing practical and meaningful initiatives to achieve culturally appropriate services for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT. We also look forward to continuing to work closely with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, as the voice of the community, and the United Ngunnawal Elders Council in providing cultural and heritage advice.
Mr Assistant Speaker, saying sorry is one thing, but actually making change is another. This is the unfinished business of the apology. Today, as we acknowledge the legacy of past policy and practices and the significance of the national apology a decade ago, let us take this opportunity to continue to build a community that celebrates, protects and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities. I present a copy of the paper:
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