Recommendation: 10

Recommendation: 10APS to work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesOverall status: Underway
Thodey guidanceStatusDelivery on Thodey
Government and APS to recognise the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples making decisions on matters affecting their lives and communities, and support their full participation in the social and economic life of Australia.UnderwayAction to support genuine partnerships with First Nations people is occurring to consider any changes required to transform mainstream government organisations. This will support the Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap, by identifying the systems changes required to help transform mainstream government organisations (Priority Reform 3) and enable formal partnerships and shared decision making (Priority Reform 1).
National Indigenous Australians Agency and PM&C to lead the APS’s application of the framework for place-based investment and the Charter of Partnership and Engagement in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including to: promote joint decision-making with communities on design and implementation of policies and services adopt flexible funding arrangements that cater for different opportunities and needs across communities, and delegate authority for investment decisions to regionally based APS employees.Underway

The Partnership Priorities Sub-committee will consider ways to strengthen partnerships with First Nations peoples and use place-based approaches as part of its forward work program. 

The NIAA is currently developing a Commonwealth Engagement and Partnership Framework to support best practice across all portfolios in establishing and strengthening partnerships and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

APSC and relevant agencies to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, the Indigenous SES Network and Secretaries Board to improve recruitment and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the APS.Underway

The Minister for the Public Service has committed to boosting First Nations employment in the APS to 5 per cent. 

The Government has provided $3.4 million over two years from 2023‐24 to the APSC to boost First Nations employment in the APS through initiatives to increase the number of First Nations SES from 44 to 100 by 2024‐25, support career development of First Nations Executive Level 2 officers and build the cultural capability of the APS.

Secretaries Board to ensure cultural competency training remains a core part of APS professional development.Underway

To support cultural competency, the first round of the Capability Reinvestment Fund will fund work on:

  1. Uplifting APS-wide First Nations cultural capability.
  2. Promoting culturally and linguistically diverse capability in the APS.
Parliament to consider establishing a Senate or Joint Committee on Indigenous Affairs to oversee Australian Government expenditure and policies relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.UnderwayIn 2022, the NIAA led a Commonwealth-wide review to identify First Nations expenditure. A report outlining key findings of the review and tangible opportunities was provided to the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in December 2022. Further opportunities for the collection, recording and reporting of First Nations expenditure are being explored.