A formal Partnership Agreement between the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON) and the South Australian Government was signed in November 2022.
The South Australian government has committed to equal participation and shared decision making with SAACCON, South Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation body, to deliver the National Agreement on Closing the Gap in South Australia.
The Partnership Agreement has been extended to 31 December 2029 to align with the life of the Closing the Gap Partnership Agreement.
About the Partnership Agreement
This is a flagship Agreement where Aboriginal people hold equitable participation, shared ownership and shared responsibility for the South Australian effort to close the gap.
Through this Partnership, full recognition and respect is given to the cultural authority, sector expertise and lived experience of SAACCON and its members.
The Partnership prioritises Aboriginal-led service delivery and supports the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector to build capacity.
These commitments acknowledge that when Aboriginal people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved.
Closing the Gap Partnership Committee
The Partnership Agreement also establishes the Closing the Gap Partnership Committee. The Partnership Committee includes equal representation from SAACCON and SA Government and will be the central governance mechanism for Closing the Gap in South Australia.
The Partnership Committee will:
- develop and implement a shared work plan
- monitor progress against South Australia’s Implementation Plan and the Partnership Agreement
- work to ensure a shared understanding across the SA Government of SAACCON’s authority, expertise and authority as an equal partner.
Committee members
Scott Wilson (Co-Chair)
Lead Convenor, SAACCON and Chief Executive, Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Incorporated
Christine Thyer
Co-Convenor, SAACCON and General Manager of the SA Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council
Christine Brown
Chief Executive Officer, SAACCON and SAACCON member
Olive Bennell
Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Healing and SAACCON member
Keith Thomas
Chief Executive Officer, South Australian Native Title Services and SAACCON member
Mary-Anne Lovegrove
Chief Executive Officer, Kura Yerlo and SAACCON member
Travis Thomas
Co-Chair First Nations of South Australia Aboriginal Corporation and SAACCON member
Caroline Mealor (Co-Chair)
Chief Executive, Attorney-General's Department
Rebecca Astley
Executive Director, Strategic Policy and Data Analytics, Department of Treasury and Finance
Jackie Bray
Chief Executive, Department for Child Protection
Ben Temperly
Deputy Chief Executive, Department for Education
Nerida Saunders
Executive Director, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Attorney-General's Department
Jessica Pisani
Executive Director, Strategic Engagement, Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Kim Little
Chief Executive, Office for Early Childhood Education
Terms of reference
Closing the Gap Partnership Committee
The terms of reference provide a framework to inform the purpose responsibilities and operation of the Closing the Gap Partnership Committee.
Terms of Reference - South Australian Partnership Committee on Closing the Gap (PDF, 1022.1 KB)
South Australian Justice Partnership Committee
The South Australian Justice Partnership Committee reports to the Closing the Gap Partnership Committee. They provide strategic advice on matters related to improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal South Australians.
Terms of Reference - South Australian Justice Partnership Committee (PDF, 496.5 KB)