Reporting Requirements and Performance Principles for Closing the Gap
Public Sector (Closing the Gap) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Independent BillTopics
Closing the Gap cultural safety government accountability Indigenous affairs Indigenous rights institutional racism public sector
Introduced by: Thomas Emerson MLA (IND)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Government agencies must include information in their annual reports about how they are implementing the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Director-generals must report on how their units implement priority reforms; they must also report on their response to Productivity Commission and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led reviews.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Minister and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body must agree on the format of these reports.
Public servants must perform their jobs in accordance with the best practice principle and the closing the gap principle.
Public servants meet the closing the gap principle if they show cultural capability; they must also work to develop that capability within their unit.
Public servants must promote cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; they must work to eliminate institutional racism in their unit.
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Thomas Emerson IND
“I move: That this bill be agreed to in principle. In presenting this bill, I wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet. I pay my respects to their elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us in the chamber today.”