The ACT Government is investing to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Canberra, delivering on its Closing the Gap commitments, and supporting greater community control.

The 2026-27 Budget delivers a coordinated package of initiatives in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, investing across healthcare, education, housing, cultural projects, and governance.

Key measures include:

• $1.2 million over four years for a culturally informed perinatal mental health “Safe Space” service – delivering a comprehensive perinatal support model that will provide continuity of care through peer mentoring, advocacy, and education. It will include services run by, or in partnership with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, respecting cultural practices, knowledge, expertise and lived experience, including the impact of intergenerational trauma.
• $1.9 million over four years to boost the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce in the ACT – which is essential for improving the health and wellbeing of First Nations communities. This funding will support Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) to continue its Health Academy program in the ACT, training 30 students annually. In addition to finding employment as Allied Health Assistants, previous graduates of the program have gone on to pursue further study, including nursing and physiotherapy.
• $500,000 to support Yerrabi Yurwang’s Housing Australia Future Fund application for building costs of a 29-dwelling townhouse development in Moncrieff. The Government is supporting Yerrabi Yurwang to acquire the Moncrieff site with over $3 million through the Affordable Housing Project Fund.
• $754,000 over two years to commence a Truth Telling (Seed of Truth) Project with community to advance ACT Government’s commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
• $1.8 million will strengthen oversight of justice system reforms and fund two independent justice advisors (youth and adult) to support the Jumbunna review response, and to expand capacity for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body plays a key role in representing and advocating for the community. The Budget recognises this and will fund the Elected Body to help meet growing community and government engagement expectations, with the Government also working with the Elected Body to consider arrangements for its next term.

The Government is supporting the Elected Body's Expressions of Interest process to form an Interim Management Committee, which will support the transition of Boomanulla Oval to full community control. The Government is also finalising a process to begin the transition of Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm to community control.

The Government recognises the important role that Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) play in supporting greater self-determination for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander community. This includes the need for continued investment to sustain and build capacity and ensure greater community control in delivering essential programs under the Closing the Gap agreement. The 2026-27 Budget will also include initiatives of over $8 million to be delivered by ACCOs, building on the existing pipeline of funding to support programs delivered by the sector.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer, Chris Steel: 
“In this Budget, the ACT Government continues to work in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, investing in healthcare, education, housing, cultural projects, and governance – especially through dedicated funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body plays a significant role in improving outcomes for our First Nations communities. This funding boost will enhance the Elected Body's capacity, ensuring strong representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith:
“This Budget takes further meaningful steps to address health disparities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community.

“Evidence from the ACT Government-funded Clybucca Dreaming pilot program demonstrates the positive impact of the perinatal mental health safe space model. Developing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce in partnership with IAHA will also improve the ACT healthcare system’s overall cultural responsiveness.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Suzanne Orr
“This Budget recognises the importance of self-determination and Closing the Gap in outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans.

“The ACT Government continues to invest in community-led programs and initiatives that emphasise cultural safety, equity and a stronger voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community.”

Quotes attributable to the Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, Mr Maurice Walker:

“This Budget backs in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and recognises that real change happens when communities are trusted to lead solutions for our people. Continued support for the Elected Body means we can keep representing community voices strongly and pushing for action in critical areas like justice, children and young people, and Closing the Gap.”

Statement ends