The Coalition of Peaks has heralded their joint announcement, with the Prime Minister and the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance, of a new agreement establish a First Nations Economic Partnership.
The alliance of Indigenous peak bodies nationwide said on Saturday the new partnership aims to "advance economic empowerment and lasting economic security for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and organisations".
The Coalition of Peaks said the Partnership is "a clear example" of the organisation holding the federal government "to account for its commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap; commitments to share power, centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, and fundamentally change the way governments work with our communities".
Coalition of Peaks Lead Convenor Pat Turner AM said the Partnership is an opportunity to shift the balance from government to communities driving economic development.
"The Partnership is about putting our communities in control of shaping an economic future based on what we know works," Ms Turner said.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been clear for decades that our community-controlled organisations are the best employers of our people, providing the foundation for our economic development.
"One of the immediate actions in the Agreement is designing funded programs to grow secure employment and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community-controlled organisations and we are looking forward to making this happen."
The Coalition of Peaks said that the Agreement provides, for the first time, an opportunity for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations across the country to engage directly with government on what they need to drive their own economic development.
The peak representative body said the priorities in the Agreement reflect what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people told them through a nationwide engagement process in 2024: that "strong community-controlled organisations are the foundation for jobs and economic participation for our people".
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, said "economic empowerment is about self-determination and creating opportunities that reflect the aspirations of First Nations communities".
"Prescribed Bodies Corporate are critical partners for Traditional Owners, the first point of contact in commercial negotiations and strong vehicles for First Nations economic empowerment," she said.
"The Albanese Government knows investing in remote First Nations communities is vital to unlocking their long-term prosperity."
The Coalition of Peaks welcomed the announcement on Saturday of new funding for Prescribed Bodies Corporate; recognising their "critical role as community-controlled organisations for managing Country and being able to drive economic development".
Central Land Council representative Josie Douglas said the new investment had "been sought for a long time".
"We are very pleased that the Albanese Government has responded," Dr Douglas said.
"Prescribed Body Corporates are the foundation of local economic development. They are governed by our people, for our people – and are key to creating jobs, attracting investment, and building sustainable livelihoods on Country.
"It also directly supports Priority Reform Two of the Closing the Gap Agreement – building and strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector.
"Our organisations need long-term investment to grow their reach and impact, and to deliver economic outcomes that are designed and led by our communities."
The federal government also announced it will invest $31 million to establish 12 Mobile TAFE services to be delivered in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector, states and territories. The services will deliver training on Country, with a focus on skills for jobs in construction, maintenance, health care, hospitality, resources and renewable energy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said "making sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians can get a secure job, make the most of business opportunities and benefit from their land is a big part of Closing the Gap".
"The First Nations Economic Partnership will help put communities in the driver's seat of economic opportunity, ownership and equity," he said.
"Mobile TAFE will offer hands-on training on Country and will bring skills and jobs to communities.
"Locals will be able to learn trade skills, get a qualification and build a career without having to leave home."
While welcoming the Agreement, the Coalition of Peaks noted that they "know from experience that everything depends on it being implemented properly".
"The National Agreement (on Closing the Gap) has not had the impact that it should have because many jurisdictions are not implementing it properly and not fulfilling their commitments. The Peaks will do their utmost to make sure that all the partners to this Agreement are held accountable," the Coalition said.
