Reconciliation has always had multi-party support, and the next Federal Government must show determined leadership in Australia’s reconciliation journey.
Progress on reconciliation is what will bond our country together and set the foundation for a more just and equitable nation.
Reconciliation Australia believes there are six foundational action areas, linked to priority reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, that the Federal Government must take into the next term to set our course towards a reconciled nation that benefits all Australians.
Read the full report: Federal Election 2025 – Leading towards a reconciled future and beyond
Don't walk away from our history l Priority reform 1
Establishment of and support for a Makarrata Commission to drive an effective model of national truth-telling.
Alongside the National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap, Makarrata will build a fair and honest relationship with government, and a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children based on justice and self-determination by:
- recording the history of Indigenous peoples
- preserving the culture of Indigenous peoples
- enhancing Indigenous aspirations to take responsibility for their own communities
- actively supporting commercial aspirations for Indigenous peoples
- concluding agreements between governments and Indigenous peoples that address the four criteria above.
Improved health outcomes | Priority Reform 2
Further and continual investment in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) – an effective and proven model of health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
ACCHOs deliver culturally safe and effective outcomes and are more efficient and cost effective than mainstream health services for First Nations peoples.
Sustainable and ongoing investment in ACCHOs will support thousands of jobs in hundreds of local economies in which ACCHOs run clinics and work towards closing the health gap.
Support anti-racism action | Priority Reforms 2 & 3
Overcoming racism must be a national priority to close the gaps in health, education, employment and justice.
Governments must fully invest in the implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework, as a key established mechanism to address systemic racism in Australia. Strengthening protections against racial discrimination and sustainably resourcing the National Anti-Racism Framework will provide critical mechanisms to address and prevent racism.
Invest in future generations | Priority Reform 2
Support a new funding model for Aboriginal community-controlled early education and care to help close the gap by ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are engaged in high quality, culturally appropriate early childhood education in their early years.
We call on the Federal Government to invest in the future of Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education program as part of its Mparntwe Declaration commitment and to promote social cohesion in our communities.
Ensure just and equitable futures | Priority Reform 2
Invest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services to ensure equitable access to culturally safe and appropriate legal support (Targets 10 and 11).
Prioritise the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) fully at the federal level.
As well as implementing UNDRIP fully at the federal level, the government must support mechanisms such as the Reconciliation Action Plan program that can promote and encourage civil society and corporate organisations to ensure their practices are compliant with the UNDRIP.
Economic futures | Priority Reform 3
Government, corporate and social sectors must actively promote and develop economic opportunities for First Nations peoples and businesses through participation in reconciliation and supporting the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, and under the direction of a macroeconomic policy framework.
Leading towards a reconciled future
See more detail on the six foundational action areas, linked to priority reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, that the Federal Government must take into the next term to set our course towards a reconciled nation that benefits all Australians in Federal Election 2025 – Leading towards a reconciled future and beyond.
