| The Plan provides a snapshot of data on the Indigenous population of Queensland that demonstrate the significantly poorer outcomes they experience in comparison to non-Indigenous Queenslanders.
The OBIP is intended to drive, integrate, coordinate, measure and monitor Queensland and Australian Government efforts to Close the Gap in Indigenous Disadvantage, as part of the National Indigenous Reform Agreement (NIRA) and associated National Partnership Agreements (NPs).
The Parties will act cooperatively and in good faith to:
- Monitor the progress of the deliverables and outcomes in the agreements and strategies aimed at Closing the Gap
- Identify and resolve strategic issues which impede effective implementation and coordination of initiatives
- Monitor progress towards achievement of the Closing the Gap targets
- Streamline joint coordination arrangements
- Engage in joint planning
- Coordinate Closing the Gap reporting requirements for effective monitoring and to minimise duplication
- Review and enhance joint engagement arrangements with Indigenous people and other stakeholders
- Reaffirm commitment to the National Partnership Agreement on an Indigenous Clearinghouse.
As the National Agreements (NAs) and National Partnership Agreements have distinct governance and reporting arrangements, this Plan will monitor only:
- Progress towards agreed performance measures; and
- Progress of implementation.
Governance and Reporting Arrangements
The Governments will establish joint arrangements to coordinate the implementation of the NIRA and the related NAs and NPs by including; joint ministerial oversight and reporting; a Queensland OBIP Board of Management; Building Block Coordinators who are responsible for providing regular updates to the OBIP Board of Management on progress under each building block of the NIRA.
Arrangements for Indigenous and other Stakeholder Engagement
The parties are committed to working together and in partnership with Indigenous people and communities to address Indigenous disadvantage in Queensland.
They agree to adopt meaningful engagement mechanisms, consistent with the National Integrated Strategy on Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage, including:
- Jurisdictional advisory groups and representative bodies; and
- Indigenous sector-specific advisory groups and expert organisations.
At the State level, the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council (QATSIAC) will:
- Provide all Queensland Ministers with high-level, strategic advice;
- Provide advice to government agencies regarding consultation processes; and
- Develop and maintain links with other relevant advisory bodies within Queensland and at a national level.
At the national level, the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples will be the primary mechanism for engaging on national Indigenous policy issues.
Schedules
Schedules for each of the COAG ‘Closing the Gap’ Building Blocks include; Early Childhood Development; Schooling; Health Economic Participation; Healthy Homes; Safe Communities and Governance and Leadership
In the Queensland context, they will include; Remote Service Delivery; Urban and Regional Strategy; Data Quality Improvements.
As a matter of urgency, further scheduler relating to Communication and Engagement with Indigenous people has been agreed upon.
Attachments
1. Closing the Gap Building Blocks COAG Indigenous Specific
2. Outcomes, Policy and Reforms Directions and Performance Indicators
3. Service Delivery Principles for Programs and Services for Indigenous Australians
4. National Principles for Investments in Remote Locations
Governance diagram
5. Terms of Reference for the Queensland Overarching Bilateral Indigenous Plan Board of Management | |
