Aboriginal people continue to experience disadvantage across all life domains in comparison to non-Aboriginal people. Closing the Gap is the agreed process for governments to work with Aboriginal people to change this.
In July 2020 the National Agreement on Closing the Gap came into effect. The National Agreement is the first agreement of its kind to be negotiated and agreed between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled representatives. It is built around a five Priority Reforms designed to change the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The five Priority Reform areas, identified by Aboriginal people as:
- Formal Partnerships and Shared Decision Making
- Building the Community-Controlled Sector
- Transforming Government Organisations
- Shared Access to Data and Information at a Regional Level
- Economic Prosperity, Business Growth and Employment (NSW specific)
NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO) is a coalition of Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), which represent Aboriginal people across NSW. NSW CAPO provide a strong, independent and coordinated voice to address issues affecting Aboriginal communities, including the social determinants of health and wellbeing. NSW CAPO is a partner to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
NSW CAPO member organisations are independent non-government Aboriginal peak bodies with boards that are elected by Aboriginal communities and/or organisations which are liable to their membership, to advocate for Aboriginal Peoples throughout NSW.
NSW CAPO members currently include:
Absec (NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation)
AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc.)
AHMRC (Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council)
ALS (Aboriginal Legal Service)
BLAQ (BLAQ – Aboriginal Corporation)
NSWALC (NSW Aboriginal land Council)
FPDN (First Peoples Disability Network Australia)
Link-up (Link Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation)
For further information on the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations, contact caposecretariat@alc.org.au or visit https://alc.org.au/nsw-capo/
