11 October, 2019

Coalition of Peaks to hold a local Closing the Gap engagement today in Launceston

Launceston will today host a face-to-face meeting on the
development of a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The meeting is an opportunity for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people to tell the Coalition of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander community controlled peak organisations (Coalition of
Peaks) and the Tasmanian government what changes are needed to improve their
lives.

The Coalition of Peaks Lead Convener, Pat
Turner said we must ensure that Aboriginal people in Tasmania have their voices
truly heard and understood as the Coalition of Peaks work with Australian
Governments to develop a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The
National Agreement will set out how governments and the Coalition of Peaks will
work together over the next ten years to support better outcomes for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people.  

“It is important that the new National
Agreement on Closing the Gap reflect the expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people. We must be at the centre of decision-making because we know
what works best for our communities,” Turner said.

“This time the Coalition of Peaks has the
opportunity to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the
negotiating table with governments, so we want to ensure that we engage
communities around Australia in the process.  

“The Coalition of Peaks will be leading
face-to-face meetings in every state and territory and we’re looking forward to
hearing what Aboriginal people here in Launceston today have to say.

The face-to-face discussions are part of a
comprehensive set of community engagements, which also include Peak
consultations with its own membership and an online
survey
, open until October 25.

— Ends —

For media enquiries contact Andrew Blyberg on 0401 691 666 or
andrew@fiftyacres.com

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