Decision details

Original motion moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Phelps -

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         the City of Sydney is keenly committed to Reconciliation and addressing the disproportionate disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

(ii)        a National Agreement of Closing the Gap has been developed 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;

(iii)      the National Agreement requires each jurisdiction (state and territory) to have an implementation plan in place to close the gap by July 2021;

(iv)      the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations and NSW Government have been developing a NSW Implementation Plan for Closing the Gap which is currently Cabinet-in-confidence and not publicly available;

(v)       councils across the Australia are highly engaged in the priority reform areas and socio-economic targets referred to throughout the National Agreement on Closing the Gap including early childhood care and development; social and emotional wellbeing initiatives; housing, health, disability inclusion, social cohesion, inclusion and anti-racism initiatives; prevention of family and domestic violence and community infrastructures;

(vi)      Local Government engagement will be crucial to ensuring the success of Closing the Gap initiative; and

(vii)     all councils have a role to play in supporting the priority reforms and target areas set out within the National Closing the Gap Agreement;

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         seek advice and comment on the development of a Closing the Gap Strategy from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel; and

(ii)        pending advice received from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel, request City staff to consider a Closing the Gap Strategy which builds on and links to the existing City Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, outlining how Council can contribute and is contributing to the priority reform areas and socioeconomic targets in the National Agreement for Closing the Gap as soon as practicable following appropriate community consultation with local Aboriginal stakeholders and organisations.

The amended motion was carried unanimously.

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