“I’d strongly urge all of the parties in Victoria’s parliament to take heed of this recommendation and publicly support treaty,” Gallagher said on Wednesday.
“Treaty opens the door for equitable collaboration between Aboriginal communities and policymakers,which will deliver on Closing the Gap.”
The report also recommended “systemic and structural transformation” of government organisations and the implementation of stronger accountability mechanisms. It urged amendments to the Closing the Gap agreement to improve data sharing between state institutions and the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.
Eleanor Bourke – the chair of Victoria’s historic truth-telling inquiry,theYoorrook Justice Commission – said its commissioners had recommended similar reforms in its own report to the state governor last year.
“This is what First Peoples have long been calling for,it is what Yoorrook recommended,and it is what the Productivity Commission is highlighting in its report,” Bourke said.
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“The evidence is clear that when First Peoples are engaged with and have control over decisions that affect their lives,the result is better outcomes.”
Afterinitially backing the state’s treaty process,the Coalition last monthdumped its support citing concerns including issues with the statecultural heritage act – which aims to protect Aboriginal sites – that Nationals leader Peter Walsh said were leading to cost overruns and delays in construction projects.
Coalition leader John Pesutto backed his deputy’s announcement four days before Australia Day,saying that he did not believe treaty was the way to go.
“I think we need to work so much harder on addressing the real issues around educational health outcomes,mental health outcomes,out-of-home care,” Pesutto said at the time.
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Pesutto and Walsh were contacted for comment.
Last week,Pesutto said he was committed to closing the gap for Indigenous Victorians.
“I want to focus on real outcomes for Indigenous Victorians who deserve a better pathway in life,” he said.
In the wake of the bruising referendum rejection of the Voice to Parliament late last year,key Indigenous leaderstold this masthead last month that regional advisory councils to ensure communities were heard and a renewed emphasis on meeting Closing the Gap targets were among the most pressing priorities.
Tom Calma,co-author of the final report for a co-designed Voice,described the Productivity Commission recommendations as “fundamental and critical points”.
“The review is clear messaging for governments at all jurisdictional levels to work together to address these issues,” he said. “One of the ironies is that … these were the key planks in that referendum on the Voice and the sorts of activities they would address.”