Key Activity 2

Lead and co-ordinate across government to implement the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Measure 3

The NIAA delivers the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and implementation plan through partnerships and engagement with other Australian Government portfolios, First Nations representatives, and state, territory and local governments.

Targets

Rationale

• The Commonwealth Implementation Plan outlines the Australian Government’s commitments to achieve the targets and deliver on the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The Priority Reforms were agreed in partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and all levels of government. Leading the Government’s approach to embedding these Priority Reforms is how we will change the way we work with First Nations Australians and provide the foundation for future progress against the targets and supporting the aspirations of First Nations peoples. This measure is also published in the 2024-25 PBS under Program 1.7 – Program Support.

Methodology and data sources

• Quantitative assessment against timeframe supported by qualitative analysis of actions taken.
• Assessment of the NIAA’s leadership and coordination role through analysis of records from committees and meetings. These include weekly Interdepartmental committee meetings across the Government, internal meetings for implementation within the NIAA, Joint Working Group, Partnership Working Group and Joint Council.
• Analysis of the extent of implementation of the Priority Reforms will include data sets relating to meetings to drive and deliver sector-strengthening plans, policy partnerships and working group meetings. Maintaining effective partnership arrangements with the Coalition of Peaks analysis will include a review of records of fortnightly meetings, drafting group with jurisdictions, and workshop sessions with the Coalition of Peaks.

Measure 4

The extent to which the NIAA contributes to effective implementation of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) across the APS.

Targets

Rationale

• The NIAA provides stewardship and support for the Australian Government’s IPP, leading to enhanced Indigenous economic outcomes through increased Government procurement from First Nations–owned businesses. This is intended to result in positive progress on Closing the Gap outcome 8 (Strong economic participation and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities).
• The IPP defines success as all portfolios meeting their targets for the number and value of contracts awarded to First Nations businesses.

Methodology and data sources

• Portfolio’s central procurement areas will be surveyed annually on the effectiveness of the NIAA’s policy advice, training, IPP Reporting Solution system support and guidance materials.
• Quantitative assessment of the whole-of-government procurement in First Nations–owned business (equal weighting between the value target and the volume target of eligible procurements awarded to Indigenous enterprises each financial year). For more detail, please see the Indigenous Portfolio Policy.
• Data is collected through the IPP Reporting Solution. AusTender data is matched with Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations and Supply Nation’s list of First Nations–owned business ABNs. Departments manually upload low-value purchases from First Nations–owned businesses.
• For the measure to be achieved, both targets must be met.