The Australian Capital Territory has set an important national precedent, with the passage of independent MP Thomas Emerson's Public Sector (Closing the Gap) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.
The Bill, debated in the ACT Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, was passed with minor amendments required for Labor's support.
The Member for Kurrajong, Mr Emerson said the government amendments were developed in close consultation with his office and the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, and would help ensure his bill achieved its objective of significantly increasing action and accountability in relation to the ACT Government's Closing the Gap commitments.
"For too long, Closing the Gap initiatives have been treated like optional extras," Mr Emerson said on Monday.
Read the full article here: https://nit.com.au/02-12-2025/21603/act-bill-sets-national-precedent-on-closing-the-gap-accountability