Addressing Closing the Gap Priority Reforms and Targets
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement) sets out 4 priority reforms to change the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and accelerate progress towards closing the gap. It also outlines 17 socio-economic outcome areas with specific targets to measure the progress towards Closing the Gap. Genomics Australia is committed to aligning our work with the aspirations of the National Agreement. We will also consider the cross-cutting areas of disability, gender and sexuality, ageing and remoteness, that can further impact health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Priority Reform 1 Formal partnerships and shared decision-making |
We are committed to working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and empowering shared decision-making in health genomics. We are building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations and working towards co-creating an engagement mechanism to enable shared decision-making. |
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Priority Reform 4 Shared Access to Data and Information at a Regional Level |
The Maiam nayri Wingara Principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty assert Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s right to control how information about them is collected, stored, used and shared. Maiam nayri Wingara define Indigenous data as “information or knowledge, in any format or medium, which is about and may affect Indigenous peoples both collectively and individually”. In alignment with Priority Reform 4, we commit to aligning with the principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people greater agency over how their data are governed. |
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Socio‑economic Outcome 1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy long and healthy lives |
By partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and implementing culturally safe and responsive approaches to health genomics, we also hope to contribute to the National Agreement’s socio-economic Outcome 1 (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy long and healthy lives) which sets the Target: Close the Gap in life expectancy within a generation, by 2031. |
Contributing to better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Islander people
Genomics Australia is committed to supporting national priorities that aim to reduce health inequities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our approach is grounded in cultural appropriateness, responsiveness to community needs and accountability. These principles guide how genomics is developed and applied across Australia’s health system.
Cultural appropriateness
We will be working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities to ensure culturally appropriate and equitable access to genomic services and research. We will support processes for managing genomic data and biological specimens that put cultural values at the centre, ensuring respect and trust.
Responsiveness
Shared decision-making is a foundation of our work. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives contribute to governance through an appropriate, co-developed engagement mechanism and influence how genomics is integrated and delivered. This approach ensures community voices are heard and helps create fairer access to care.
Accountability
Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles will inform genomics policy and practice to improve governance processes and provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people greater agency over their genomic data and biological specimens.