The “Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap”, signed yesterday, commits the state government to address “systematic and structural racism, discrimination and unconscious bias” over a three-year period.

The state government has also agreed to form a committee with representatives from the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON), which will be tasked with monitoring how the state is tracking implementing its Closing the Gap plan.

That plan – estimated to cost several million dollars to implement – was finalised in September last year and contains more than 200 commitments from government departments to address Aboriginal inequality.

Commitments include building a mental health and wellbeing centre specifically focussed on the needs of Aboriginal people, creating a peak body for Aboriginal children and young people and amending the state’s mining legislation to ensure Traditional Owners are better informed of what’s happening on their land.

The Government has also promised to consider legislation to better recognise First Nations languages.

“Delivering on initiatives under Closing the Gap remains a significant priority for this government, but it is something we cannot and should not do alone,” Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher said.

“The voices of Aboriginal people are critical to this process.

“This historic agreement allows for equal participation and shared decision making, which is essential for meaningful action that improves the lives of South Australian Aboriginal people.”

According to the agreement, the committee will report back to parliament each year on South Australia’s progress in implementing the Closing the Gap targets.

It will comprise equal representation from the state government and SAACCON – which itself represents 23 organisations – and will be jointly led by SAACCON lead convenor Scott Wilson and one government representative.

Wilson said Aboriginal people had been directly and indirectly affected by “adverse policies of governments” since colonisation.

He said the agreement signed yesterday acknowledged that reality.

“SAACCON welcomes this new shared partnership approach between the state government and Aboriginal people in South Australia,” he said.

“To achieve real change and address intergenerational disadvantage, we must build mutual trust and show courage and leadership in the face of opposition.”

It comes after Maher earlier this week put forward the government’s draft bill for a South Australian Voice to Parliament.

The First Nations Voice Bill 2022 proposes the establishment of a Voice, to be known as “The State First Nations Voice”, which would comprise Aboriginal representatives from across the state who would advise and address parliament.

It would also see a directly elected ‘Local First Nations Voice’ established in regions across the state.

The draft bill is now out for consultation following statewide community engagement with First Nations communities.