Genuine Partnerships and Indigenous-led Solutions Key to Closing the Gap
11 February 2010
The Co-Chairs of Reconciliation Australia, Professor Mick Dodson and Mr Mark Leibler welcome the Prime Minister’s emphasis on promoting genuine partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and the importance of Indigenous-led solutions in his second Closing the Gap report card.
The Prime Minister’s recognition of Indigenous-led solutions supports Australian and international evidence that locally driven initiatives are the keys to real progress on the ground.
“Much of the evidence presented in the report card shows that progress comes from the ground up, rather than top-down and that the roles of governments and others is in supporting and working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities to address their issues,” Professor Dodson said.
Professor Dodson welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to be vigilant about what is working and what is not. While noting there had been some improvements in data collection and quality, Prof Dodson said there remains a need to improve the evidence base being used to make many policy decisions in this area.
“Sound evidence of what works is key in policy development and implementation. We should be able to make a direct connection between a policy and the evidence that supports it. If not, then it’s probably not working and therefore is not a good policy.
“While we all welcome the increase in spending that has accompanied the Closing the Gap targets, if the money is not spent wisely on policies that work it will be wasted and we will not close the gaps. Funding must also be matched to needs, and this is what good quality data will tell us.”
As we approach the 10th anniversary of the Bridge Walks for reconciliation and the inception of Reconciliation Australia, Mr Leibler welcomed the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of the positive impact of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program.
“All Australians have a part to play in closing the gaps and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other Australians to achieve a shared sense of fairness and justice,” Mr Leibler said.
“The success of the RAP program is based on building good relationships based on respect, to create opportunities that turn good intentions into actions.”
For more information please call Ara Cresswell: 0410 405 220
