The ACT has today become the first jurisdiction in Australia to legislate commitments for senior public servants to help end the inequalities faced by First Nations people. From July next year senior public servants will be required to uphold a "Closing the Gap principle", with public sector entities to report annually on progress on the national agreement, which sets targets to address Indigenous inequality.
Independent MLA Thomas Emerson proposed the bill and said it would help significantly increase government action and accountability on its Closing the Gap commitments.
"For too long, Closing the Gap initiatives have been treated like optional extras," he said.
"This bill will transform our Closing the Gap commitments into core government business.
"We've been talking about Closing the Gap for 20 years, and I believe the ACT can be the first state or territory to actually do it.
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