I am pleased to present the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) Corporate Plan for 2023-24. Aligned to our vision – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are heard, recognised and empowered – the Corporate Plan sets the and priorities for the next four years for the NIAA.
Jody Broun
Chief Executive Officer, NIAA
The Government’s ambitious agenda for Indigenous Australians has driven the NIAA to reframe our work to deliver against the priorities. We continue to lead and influence across government to ensure the aspirations of First Nations communities are prioritised, through genuine partnerships and relationships. All levels of governments have a role in delivering outcomes for First Nations peoples.
We make a difference through key policy reforms: our leadership of Closing the Gap across governments; partnerships with the Coalition of Peak Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations (Coalition of Peaks), communities and other stakeholders; and the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, we are exploring better ways to deliver with First Nations peoples. For example, the Junior Rangers program, work on remote housing and homelands in the Northern Territory and improving availability and access to clean water through the National Water Grid program.
The NIAA regional network across Australia enables us to maintain strong relationships with communities, helps to enhance regional governance and respond to the needs and priorities of communities. We are on the ground in 37 locations and 14 communities, and are able to mobilise efforts and work with partners to support communities through extreme events. For example, during the floods experienced in the Kimberley in 2023 the Agency supported the emergency management efforts across the region, ensuring there was local Indigenous community input as well as providing support to available services.
Over the next four years the NIAA will continue to lead and coordinate the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Our work in partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and all governments has already seen some important progress towards embedding the Priority Reforms. For example, for Priority Reform One, five Policy Partnerships have been established (for Justice, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Housing, Early Childhood Care and Development and Languages) and the 2023 Commonwealth partnership stocktake has identified approximately 40 partnerships that align with the strong partnership elements in the National Agreement.
However, we know there is a lot more work to do. We are accelerating effort to embed the Priority Reforms and deliver on the 2023 Commonwealth Implementation Plan whilst also working with the Coalition of Peaks on upcoming budgetary measures and the 2024 Implementation Plan. By embedding the Priority Reforms we know that greater progress will be achieved on the important socio-economic targets for the life outcomes of First Nations people that will ultimately close the gap. Key outcomes and actions for the year ahead include, working with the Coalition of the Peaks and across the APS, we will give effect to prioritisation policies when working with community controlled organisations, address existing limitations in Closing the Gap reporting, and improve the governance and sharing of government-held Indigenous data.
The Government has made clear its intention to deliver the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, and the Agency’s role is to continue to work with communities, First Nations Leaders, and our colleagues to progress this commitment. In the last year the NIAA supported Government to settle policy on the referendum process, constitutional amendment and referendum question through consultation with First Nations people, drafted related legislation including the Constitution Alteration Bill, and supported the delivery of a civics awareness and information program.
Pictured left to right: NIAA CEO Jody Broun, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP, Senator Patrick Dodson outside the NIAA Office at Charles Perkins House Canberra (Ngunnawal Country). Photo: NIAA
The NIAA is also implementing the government’s commitment to economic empowerment of First Nations people through a range of initiatives. A new approach to remote employment, designed in partnership with First Nations peoples will see the Community Development Program (CDP) replaced by a reformed real jobs program, with real wages and employment conditions. We have trials currently delivering outcomes that will inform the new program design. Enhancing economic outcomes for First Nations peoples means listening to communities, ensuring local solutions meet local aspirations and unique circumstances. The Indigenous business hubs (NSW, WA and NT) each went through an extensive design process to ensure their service offer fit the needs of local and regional First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs.
The NIAA continues to work with our partners and across government to improve mental health, emotional and physical well-being and safety with work across the youth service programs and night patrols. We continue to support the healing process of members of the stolen generations and their families through the Territories Stolen Generations redress scheme which has received more than 1000 applications and has already made over 560 payments.
The NIAA will continue to meet the expectations of our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2025 which ensures we shape impactful change, internally and externally, and this ties into Priority Reform Three: Transforming Government Organisation1. The Agency and our staff are serious about saying no to Racism – we have joined the ‘Racism. It stops with me’ campaign.
Statement of Preparation
As the accountable authority of the NIAA, I present the NIAA’s Corporate Plan 2023–24, which covers the periods of 2023–24 to 2026–27, as required under paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
Jody Broun, Chief Executive Officer
National Indigenous Australians Agency
August 2023
2023 NIAA Graduates with CEO Jody Broun at the NIAA Office. Photo: NIAA