Closing The Gap Partnership Agreement

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Will the minister inform the chamber of the signing of the South Australian Partnership Agreement for Closing the Gap and how it relates to the report on Closing the Gap that he tabled yesterday?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:37): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in this area, and as the honourable member correctly pointed out, who was listening astutely, I did indeed table the inaugural report on Closing the Gap in South Australia yesterday.

The report is an assessment on how South Australia is tracking on the priority reform areas and outcomes detailed in the National Partnership Agreement and South Australia's implementation plan. Under South Australia's implementation plan, a key action to implement is to enter into a formal partnership agreement with the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON) and the South Australian government.

I am pleased to advise that recently, on 10 November, that agreement was executed by the conveners of SAACCON, Mr Scott Wilson and Ms Deb Buckskin, and the Chief Executive of the Attorney-General's Department on behalf of the South Australian government. I was very pleased to be present at this signing and to endorse and pledge my full commitment to fulfilling the obligations of the Partnership Agreement.

The Partnership Agreement represents a new way of working for the South Australian government. It promotes equal participation and shared decision-making for the government and SAACCON to work together to implement actions to achieve outcomes in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. As detailed in the Partnership Agreement:

It is predicated upon culturally safe and responsive agreement making and is aligned to foundational principles of the United Nation's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which include self determination, participation in decision-making, free prior and informed consent, respect for and protection of culture, and equality and non-discrimination.

An important aspect of the Partnership Agreement establishes the Closing the Gap Partnership Committee as a central governance mechanism for the implementation of Closing the Gap in South Australia. The partnership committee will include equal representation from the South Australian government, its agencies and SAACCON, and will be responsible for monitoring progress against South Australia's implementation plan and the Partnership Agreement. This will be an important mechanism in ensuring our state is achieving its desired outcomes and targets as closely as possible.

I am proud of the signing of this historic agreement and look forward to working closely with our partners in the Aboriginal community-controlled sector, SAACCON, and the bodies and organisations they represent in ensuring improved outcomes for Aboriginal people living in South Australia.