23 Sep Locals lead fight to cut Aboriginal disadvantage (The Australian)
THE outback town of Wilcannia has set ambitious targets to reduce chronic Aboriginal disadvantage.
The town has struck a pioneering agreement with the federal and NSW governments to establish nurses in schools, indigenous-run small businesses, and better healthcare for pregnant women.
The former opal mining town has become the first of 29 high-priority remote communities identified under the federal government’s National Indigenous Reform Agreement — the closing the gap plan — to commit to specific local targets.
Walgett in NSW, Amata and Mimili in South Australia, and several Cape York communities are in the process of finalising similar agreements.
Wilcannia’s local implementation plan, made public yesterday, was developed by indigenous leaders in the town and commits community members and the federal and NSW governments to joint targets in education, early childhood, health, economic participation and housing. …Go to article.