When the Western Plains App spoke to North Western NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council councillor Anne Dennis earlier this month, she spoke of Indigenous voices needing ‘a seat at the table’ for any promising change. Now, Lightning Ridge - Ms Dennis’s local area - has featured at the centre of a historical investment into a game changing approach to Closing the Gap. 

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet had just arrived in Lightning Ridge when he announced a $401 million to prioritise Closing the Gap and other Indigenous-focused outcomes, but it felt different to other funding rounds. 

This time, he admitted the government may not be best suited to lead the charge. 

“It’s clear traditional Government-led approaches haven’t worked. This needs to be done hand-in-hand with Aboriginal communities, who know best what changes need to be made to help communities thrive,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“The reality of having bureaucrats in Macquarie Street making decisions for communities in Lightning Ridge makes absolutely no sense at all,” he said.

The Premier announced partnerships with Aboriginal stakeholders across Government to co-design initiatives, including improving cancer care pathways, supporting empowerment, and supporting community housing providers. 

The NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Organisations (NSW CAPO) will lead the partnership. 

Ms Dennis said that the investment - if delivered right - could be the beginning of a big shift. 

“This is the first time that we’ve actually been included, as Aboriginal people, at a grassroots level,” Ms Dennis said. 

NSW CAPO will be in charge of designing strategies that improve various aspects of Indigenous outcomes, including youth, education, health, justice system, providing economic independence, and culture. 

“For too long when it comes to Aboriginal people, as a state and as a nation, we have failed. We have not done enough,” Mr Perrottet said 

NSW ALC Councilllor Anne Dennis has welcomed the Premier's announcement. PHOTO: NSW ALC

The $401 million to be allocated in the 2022/23 budget and delivered over the next four years is a dramatic increase from the $20 million invested in last year’s budget. 

“This announcement…sets a precedent for this Government to actually work with (NSW CAPO),” Ms Dennis said. 

Following the announcement, some community members took to social media criticising the funding allocation as history repeating itself and accusing the initiative of causing a further divide between cultures in Australia. 

Member for Barwon Roy Butler defended the investment.

“I would ask those who don’t agree with this initiative - what is better? Throwing money at programs that have not worked, or trying something different,” Mr Butler asked of his electorate. 

“Let’s give communities a chance to help themselves,” Mr Butler said. 

The package also includes a $30 million ‘Community and Place Grants Program’, offering grants of up to $250,000 to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to deliver practical, immediate, and locally-focused activities targeting Closing the Gap outcomes.