The NSW Government will invest $716 million over four years in programs, policies and initiatives to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in New South Wales and help meaningfully shift the dial on Closing the Gap targets and other Aboriginal outcomes.
The 2022-23 NSW Budget investment recognises the importance of working hand in hand with Aboriginal communities to drive meaningful outcomes. Many of these initiatives were co-designed in partnership with the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO) and will be delivered in close partnership with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) sector.
Key areas of investment include:
- $317.3 million for housing, land rights, and essential community infrastructure
- $178.8 million to support young Aboriginal people to thrive
- $91.1 million to support Aboriginal languages, culture and survivors of the Stolen Generations
- $47 million to improve access to data, improved governance, and strengthen the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) sector
- $32.3 million to support the community-controlled organisation sector
- $29.6 million to drive health and wellbeing outcomes
- $19.7 million to improve community safety and the justice system
In addition to the NSW Government’s earlier announcement of $401 million towards Closing the Gap and improving outcomes for Aboriginal people, this $716 million investment includes:
- $149.8 million to the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) for 200 new and 260 upgraded homes for Aboriginal people, as well as 4,400 climate resilience and energy saving upgrades
- $98.7 million to continue and expand the number of Aboriginal Child and Family Centres across the state to provide a mix of culturally safe services and support for Aboriginal families and young children
- $67.2 million over four years to expand the Strong Family, Strong Communities program, to provide wraparound services and support to Aboriginal families, and to strengthen the Aboriginal Community Housing sector
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said this funding is a significant investment into Aboriginal communities across NSW.
“I’m delighted to be able to work with the CAPO representatives and their organisations to deliver this momentous commitment,” Mr Franklin said.
“Investing in these initiatives is an important step towards NSW achieving its targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap by 2031.
“By investing in important projects such as housing and infrastructure for our Stolen Generations Organisations, and Aboriginal Child and Family Centres, we ensure that we are delivering positive outcomes that enrich the futures of Aboriginal children, students, and families in our state.
“This funding will not only deliver real outcomes in partnership with Aboriginal communities, but also represents a record investment for Aboriginal Outcomes and Closing the Gap in NSW.”
Councillor Charles Lynch, NSW Aboriginal Land Council, co-chair of the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations welcomed the Closing the Gap funding by the NSW Government.
“This is a very significant moment for Aboriginal people and communities, and for the first time we are seeing a government that is genuinely investing in the needs of Aboriginal people to address the disparities under Closing the Gap,” Mr Lynch said.
“This funding will not only deliver impact in Aboriginal communities but also recognises how government needs to work with us now and into the future.”
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