The Australian Local Government Association has published a  new resource to help councils provide more employment and career opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

The guide sets out actions councils can undertake to meet the priority reforms laid out under the 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

 ALGA’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plan will:

• Support local governments to harness the opportunities provided to communities by the national Closing the Gap Plan

• Help state and territory governments to work with local governments in implementing the National Closing the Gap Agreement

• Support strengthened shared decision-making at the local level and help local governments partner with the Commonwealth, states and territory governments, and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

ALGA President Linda Scott says the implementation plan supports Indigenous employment opportunities at the local and community level.

 “This Implementation Plan is about providing local governments additional tools to embrace collaboration with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to deliver the Closing the Gap objectives in ways tailored to their individual circumstances and needs,” she said.

She said local governments have advocated strongly for Indigenous opportunity and participation and for Aboriginal community-controlled councils to be recognised nationally.

A motion to support the recognition of Aboriginal controlled councils and ensure stronger collaboration across all levels of government won unanimous support at the National General Assembly of Local Government in June after being put forward by the East Arnhem Regional Council.

“Our Implementation Plan will enhance the shared policy development and decision-making at the local government level that is fundamental to support the development of First Nations communities,” Cr Scott said.

 “I am confident this Implementation Plan will enable local governments to work more effectively at transforming local lives through providing local jobs and career pathways.”