Ministers Meet to Progress First Nations Outcomes
Indigenous Affairs Ministers from across Australia gathered via videoconference yesterday to discuss key priorities for First Nations people and communities, with focus turning to upcoming national talks and critical reform areas.
Meeting on Monday 3 November, Ministers centered their discussions on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and preparations for the Joint Council on Closing the Gap meeting scheduled for Nipaluna Hobart on 21 November 2025.
A significant portion of the meeting addressed the development of a Joint Council response to the Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Review of the National Agreement. Ministers acknowledged the essential role that First Nations perspectives play in driving accountability and progress on Closing the Gap objectives.
Minister Malarndirri McCarthy briefed colleagues on the Commonwealth’s First Nations economic empowerment priorities, continuing discussions from previous ministerial and Joint Council meetings.
Youth justice emerged as a critical agenda item, with Ministers recognizing the urgent need to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the criminal justice system. Minister McCarthy highlighted coordination efforts between Joint Council Co-Chairs and state and territory Attorneys-General, emphasizing that meaningful youth justice outcomes require collaboration across governments and ministerial portfolios.
The meeting also covered food security initiatives, including updates on the Commonwealth’s Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme, alongside preparations for the approaching high-risk weather season.
Ministers shared progress reports on truth-telling and treaty processes underway in various jurisdictions. They acknowledged a historic milestone in Victoria, where the Statewide Treaty Bill recently passed parliament, making Victoria the first Australian jurisdiction to legislate treaty with First Peoples.
Western Australian and Queensland Ministers were represented by officials at the meeting.
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