Bendigo will today host the first of three face-to-face meetings in Victoria this week on the development
of a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The meetings provide an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to tell the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peaks (Coalition of Peaks)
and governments what changes are needed to improve their lives.

Aboriginal Executive Council Chair, Esme Bamblett said it was important that both metropolitan and regional communities are engaged in the development of a new agreement on Closing the Gap.  

“The Coalition of Peaks will be leading face-to-face meetings on Closing the Gap in every state and territory during
October, including three here in Victoria,” Bamblett said.

“We kick off our Victorian meetings today in Bendigo but will also be visiting Melbourne and Morwell during the week and are looking forward to hearing what our communities have to say.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people understand what works for us so it is critical that our voice is at the centre of decision-making.

“The Coalition of Peaks are negotiating with governments on the development of the new National Agreement
on Closing the Gap.  It is critical that we bring to the table the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people from around the country.

Following today’s engagement in Bendigo, the Coalition of Peaks will hold meetings in Melbourne on October 15
and Morwell on October 16. The face-to-face discussions are part of a series of community engagements, which also include Peak organisations engaging with their own membership and an online survey, open until October 25.

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