Western Australian Local Governments with Aboriginal communities are supportive of efforts to improve the living conditions and governance in these communities. There are 280 discrete Aboriginal communities in Western Australia spanning 26 Local Governments.

Closing the Gap

Since the 1967 Referendum successive Commonwealth Governments have developed and funded policies and programs designed to improve the socio-economic status of Aboriginal Australians, and overcome a long history of poverty and marginalisation. Despite these efforts, there has been only modest improvement in some areas, and many Aboriginal Australians continue to experience high levels of disadvantage in living standards, life expectancy, education, health and employment.

Closing the Gap aims to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Since 2008, Australian governments have worked together to deliver better health, education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to eliminate the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

A formal Partnership Agreement between Commonwealth Government, State and Territory Governments and the National Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations and the Australian Local Government Association came into effect in March 2019. The Coalition of Peaks comprises over fifty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations, formed for the purpose of negotiating with governments to develop the National Agreement. The Coalition of Peaks represent the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled service sector. Members of the Coalition of Peaks are accountable to their communities.

The Australian Governments shared decision making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak representatives to develop a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement). The objective of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement) is to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to overcome the inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.

WA Local Government Reconciliation Network Google Group

The WA Local Government Reconciliation Network Google Group brings together WA Local Government Officers working in reconciliation and Aboriginal projects, including experienced Aboriginal Community Development Officers who can provide advice and guidance on Aboriginal engagement. The main purpose of the Google Group is to share peer-to-peer advice and learnings, offer support and encouragement, explore opportunities for partnership and collaboration between Local Governments, and coordinate meetings and events. Membership of the Google Group is open to all Local Government staff, employees of State, Commonwealth and not-for-profit departments, and organisations with shared interests upon receipt of approval from the secretariat of the WA Local Government Reconciliation Network. To join, visit the Google Group and send a join request.