Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

On this side of the chamber, we absolutely are committed to ensuring that the very best interests of all Australians are delivered by our promises. We can be trusted to make sure that we deliver on Indigenous disadvantage, which this bill is evidence of. We're also very committed to ensuring that the next phase of Closing the Gap is developed as a genuine partnership between all governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. We're committed to finalising the Closing the Gap framework and its targets through this partnership. This partnership agreement recognises that, in order to effect real change, governments must work collaboratively and in genuine, formal relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, as they are the essential agents of change. On 12 December last year, COAG agreed to form a genuine, formal partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to finalise Closing the Gap refreshment.