Empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to share decision-making

All governments are party to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (Closing the Gap). The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 supports 2 key targets:

• Target 12 aims to reduce the number of First Nations children in out-of-home care.
• Target 13 aims to reduce family violence and abuse of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50%, as progress towards zero by 2031.

All governments are working together to reduce the rate of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50%, as progress towards zero by 2031.

The Closing the Gap Outcomes and Evidence Fund (Fund) is a program for First Nations people, organisations and communities. The Fund supports the co-design, trial and evaluation of projects aimed at contributing to Closing the Gap Targets 12 and/or 13. The Fund also aims to improve the evidence base for the Australian Government and First Nations people.

An expert panel, including representatives of the Coalition of Peaks, worked in partnership with the Department of Social Services (department) to design the Fund. The program is closely aligned with the 4 Priority Reforms. It also supports the development of formal partnerships, locally-led solutions and alternative governance approaches.

The Fund has empowered shared-decision making authority through the establishment of community-based panels. These panels consist of First Nations people and organisations with strong connections in their community, expertise in Targets 12 and 13 and strong knowledge of their local Community-Controlled service system. Community Panels have provided advice on their community’s needs and interest in undertaking projects. They have also advised on service providers in their community with the relevant skills and expertise to deliver projects.

The department is strengthening decision-making authority through its new evaluation approach. Service providers and their communities are working with the department to design project reporting and evaluation methods to better align with First Nations ways of measuring and communicating success.

The department continues to consult with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council on family, domestic and sexual violence on the implementation of activities, including data collection efforts to strengthen responses to family, domestic and sexual violence.

The department remains committed to working in partnership with the Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices Steering Committee to develop Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence. To support shared decision-making, the department engaged SNAICC - National Voice for our Children to provide First Nations Secretariat Services to the Steering Committee and support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander caucus members to form policy positions ahead of Steering Committee meetings.

For more information on Closing the Gap, Targets 12 and 13 as well as the Fund see www.dss.gov.au/closing-gap.