The Assembly debated and unanimously passed Thomas’ Public Sector (Closing the Gap) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. This makes the ACT the first state or territory to legislate its commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. 

The bill implements two recommendations made by the Productivity Commission in its damning February 2024 review of progress under the National Agreement. It reframes the ACT Government’s Closing the Gap commitments as core business for all senior public servants, and requires all government agencies to report annually on progress under the National Agreement — in a format developed through consultation with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body. 

In his remarks, Thomas said the development and passage of the bill followed the tireless advocacy of the local First Nations community, and thanked them for their support and advice throughout the process. He emphasised that the legislation now presents an opportunity for the ACT to become the first state or territory to follow through on the promise to Close the Gap in life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

MLAs across the Assembly spoke in support of the bill. 

During the debate, ACT Labor circulated amendments, which had been developed in close consultation with Thomas and the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, to address recommendations made by the Public Accounts and Administration Committee. The amendments were supported unanimously. The legislation will take effect from July next year. Find out more about the bill here.