Three prominent First Nations figures have told the ABC they want Indigenous affairs pushed back onto the national agenda in 2026, with views ranging from a national truth-telling body to tighter accountability for service delivery and renewed focus on Closing the Gap.
The ABC spoke with former Yoorrook Justice Commission commissioner Travis Lovett, Uluru Statement co-author Dr Megan Davis, and Coalition Opposition shadow minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Kerrynne Liddle.
Mr Lovett said a national truth-telling process could help “heal the nation” and argued it was overdue. “We need a national truth-telling process. We have waited long enough,” he said.
Mr Lovett will walk about 850 kilometres from Melbourne to Canberra in April as part of a “Walk for Truth”. Mr Lovett previously worked with the Yoorrook process in Victoria, which the ABC said culminated in a final report based on evidence from more than 2,000 people. Yoorrook’s published material says its final reporting makes 100 recommendations for reform.
Dr Davis said that “Voice, treaty, truth” have long been aspirations, but said many communities are primarily focused on “surviving” and the day-to-day pressures of living. She questioned whether national truth commissions can drain energy from other priorities, and said governments should be judged on measurable outcomes. “We’re not seeing the kind of reduction in the gap in multiple indicators … and I think that’s the focus for 2026,” Dr Davis said.
Senator Liddle said she was focused on stronger accountability for organisations delivering services in Indigenous communities, including those receiving public funding. She also said the people she visits are mainly talking about “health, housing”, rather than broader debates about truth-telling.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy declined an interview request, but said in a statement that Closing the Gap should be a focus for all governments, while noting federal investment across areas including health, housing, remote jobs, and the cost of groceries in remote stores.
Closing the Gap is anchored in a National Agreement that includes 19 national targets across 17 outcome areas, built around four priority reforms designed to change how governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
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