New South Wales Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING This Memorandum of Understanding outlines a relationship of cooperation between Aboriginal peak organisations in New South Wales. The name of the body shall be known as the New South Wales Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations ( the Coalition ) ( COAPO ). The Coalition is committed to facilitating better outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities in New South Wales. 1. Joint Commitment to a Common Goal The Coalition jointly commit to supporting and fostering the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of Aboriginal people in New South Wales through the provision of demonstrated leadership on key issues which affect Aboriginal people in New South Wales. The Coalition, through mutual respect and trust, will work collaboratively to ensure stronger involvement in the development of Government policy. 2. Parties Link-Up NSW, NSW Aboriginal Child, Family & Community Care State Secretariat ( NSW AbSec ), NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group ( NSW AECG ), NSW Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council ( NSW AH&MRC ), NSW Aboriginal Land Council ( NSWALC ), and NSW/ACT Aboriginal Legal Services ( NSW/ACT ALS ). 3. Recognition of parties peak status a. Link-Up NSW Link-Up NSW is the recognised peak body for Aboriginal people and communities in New South Wales who have been, or are at risk of being, removed or separated from their families as a result of government policies. Link-Up NSW objective is to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reconnect with families from which they have been separated. Link-Up NSW seeks to empower its clients to take charge of their own experiences through the provision of services which support Aboriginal people and communities at each step of their journey. b. NSW Aboriginal Child, Family & Community Care State Secretariat The NSW AbSec is recognised as the peak Aboriginal body in New South Wales providing child protection and out-of-home care (OOHC) policy advice to the government and non-government sector on issues affecting Aboriginal families involved in child protection and OOHC system. The objective of AbSec is to strengthen links between Aboriginal child and family service provider agencies and to support the organisations to provide effective and high quality services for children and young people. The group also acts Page 1 of 6
as a central point of advice, consultation and advocacy on children and young people's care and protection issues. c. NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group The NSW AECG is the recognised peak body and voice on behalf of Aboriginal communities on issues relating to Aboriginal education and training in New South Wales. The NSW AECG seeks to educational ensure policies and programs are developed to meet the needs of Aboriginal people and their communities and is committed to ensuring Aboriginal people have a voice in self determining their educational future which will impact on the future prosperity of Aboriginal communities. The NSW AECG strives to empower Aboriginal communities through active involvement in education and training and is focused on increasing contribution by communities in Aboriginal education at the local level, so that Aboriginal people are the key participants in improving outcomes in Aboriginal education and training. d. NSW Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council The NSW AH&MRC is the recognised peak body and voice on behalf of Aboriginal communities on all Aboriginal health matters in New South Wales. The objective of the NSW AH&MRC is to ameliorate ill health, suffering, distress and helplessness in Aboriginal communities by the direct provision of primary health care, including social and emotional well being services and support programmes for Aboriginal communities. e. NSW Aboriginal Land Council The NSWALC is the recognised peak representative body in Aboriginal affairs in New South Wales. As the largest member-based Aboriginal organisation in New South Wales and Australia, the NSWALC aims to protect the interests and further the aspirations of its members and the broader Aboriginal community in New South Wales. The NSWALC is committed to ensuring a better future for Aboriginal people by working for the return of culturally significant and economically viable land, pursuing cultural, social and economic independence for its people and being politically pro-active and voicing the position of Aboriginal people on issues that affect them. f. Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT The ALS NSW/ACT is the recognised peak body for Aboriginal communities on justice issues in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The ALS NSW/ACT is a community-controlled organisation which is responsible for providing legal aid services to Aboriginal people. The ALS NSW/ACT is committed to providing a quality legal service that is appropriate to Aboriginal communities. The ALS NSW/ACT strives to address injustice and inequitable outcomes for Aboriginal people through the provision of services, programs and advocacy for Aboriginal people and families within the justice system, and prevention of those at risk of entering the justice system. 4. Purpose The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to formalise the working relationship of the Coalition and provide a strong network of support and collaboration for members to work together to address areas of disadvantage in Aboriginal communities. The Coalition will ensure genuine inclusion of Aboriginal people in policy development and program implementation in New South Wales. Page 2 of 6
The Coalition will provide a strong, coordinated and united voice to address Aboriginal issues which include, but are not limited to, health, education, housing, employment, legal equality and social justice. The Coalition will also provide a forum for member organisations to discuss, share, and exchange information. 5. Objectives The Coalition, within their own cultural contexts and practices, jointly commit to respecting, valuing and supporting each other to work towards achieving a better future for Aboriginal people in New South Wales. This will be done through the following objectives: a. Inclusion Bringing together Peak Aboriginal Organisations in New South Wales for the common goal of achieving better outcomes for Aboriginal people. b. Leadership Providing expertise and advice to those policies, programs or planning processes that impact Aboriginal communities in New South Wales. c. Advocacy Providing a representative voice for the Aboriginal communities of New South Wales. d. Monitoring Providing a collective oversight of those policies, programs and planning processes that impact Aboriginal communities. 6. Functions Share information and provide support and advice to each other and their members, Act as an advocate for Aboriginal people of New South Wales, Promote the New South Wales Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations, Create meaningful partnerships and working relationships across all sectors, Provide advice in relation to issues affecting both the New South Wales and the National Aboriginal affairs agenda, Develop discussion, issues and research papers for consideration by Aboriginal people and their communities, Prepare joint responses and submissions to governments highlighting the immediate and emerging needs for action, Monitor and assess policies or developments in respective fields of expertise, and Promote evidence based research by Coalition member organisations. 7. Principles and Values The Memorandum of Understanding will underpin an ongoing formal relationship between the organisations and is based on recognition of the following principles: a. Mutual respect and trust Respect for the independence and expertise of each peak Aboriginal organisation and the role and responsibilities held by each organisation. b. Transparency Be transparent and act within community accountability processes. c. Sustained outcomes Commit to work collaboratively to work towards achieving positive and sustained outcomes for Aboriginal people in New South Wales. Page 3 of 6
d. Equality and social inclusion Adhere to the principles of equality and social inclusion, recognising each signatory is an equal member and will contribute equally throughout this collaboration. e. Diversity Respect the diversity of opinions and unique objectives of each member organisation. f. Sharing Share and transfer knowledge, skills and expertise to other members. g. Direction Provide demonstrated leadership through courage, vision and commitment. h. Decision-making Understand, respect and commit to the decisions of the Coalition. i. Integrity At all times, act with integrity. j. Community Capacity Building Seek to ensure Aboriginal communities of New South Wales are equipped with accessible resources to assist them to engage in emerging issues. 8. Membership The Coalition consists of: Link-Up NSW, NSW Aboriginal Child, Family & Community Care State Secretariat ( NSW AbSec ), NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group ( NSW AECG ), NSW Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council ( NSW AH&MRC ), NSW Aboriginal Land Council ( NSWALC ), and NSW/ACT Aboriginal Legal Services ( NSW/ACT ALS ). Each member organisation will have two (2) representatives that are eligible to attend each meeting. The representatives shall be the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the member organisation. In the absence of the Chairperson and/or Chief Executive Officer, each organisation shall ensure that the alternate delegate/s attending have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the organisation. Non-member organisations or individuals, including but not limited to, NSW Aboriginal Housing Office and Tranby Aboriginal College, may be invited to attend Coalition meetings at the request of the Chairperson to provide advice and assistance where necessary. Invited organisations do not have voting rights and may be requested to leave the meeting at any time by the Chairperson. Where a consensus cannot be achieved for a decision of the Coalition, decisions of the Coalition will be made by a simple majority (one vote per organisation). Member organisations will cease to be a member of the Coalition if they: Resign from the Coalition, Fail to attend three (3) consecutive meetings without providing apologies to the Chairperson, or Are removed by consensus of the Coalition. Page 4 of 6
New members will only be admitted to the Coalition by a 2/3 majority vote. 9. Chairperson The Chairperson of the Coalition shall be elected by Coalition members for a period of 12 months. The responsibility of the Chairperson includes: 10. Meetings Scheduling of Coalition meetings and notifying Coalition members, Inviting special guests to attend meetings when required by the Coalition, Guiding the meeting according to the Agenda and time available, Ensuring all discussion items are concluded with a decision, action or defined outcome, and Review and approve the draft minutes before distribution. The Coalition will meet bi-monthly or as required in negotiation with the Chairperson and with the consensus of other Coalition members. 11. Secretariat Secretariat support to the Coalition will be provided by the elected Chairperson s organisation. The responsibility of the Secretariat includes: 12. Reporting Provision of support to the Chairperson of the Coalition. Organise Agenda items, meeting papers, venues and other logistics as reasonably required. Disseminate information concerning the outcomes of Coalition meetings. Oversee and monitor the allocation and progress of action items arising from Coalition meetings. Collate and record out of session decisions made by members of the Coalition. Collate and distribute papers provided by Coalition members. Members of the Coalition will report back, and be accountable to their constituents, through their respective reporting arrangements and processes. Members of the Coalition will report at each Coalition meeting on any business conducted as representatives of the Coalition, or of any business that may affect the Coalition and its members. Coalition members will provide, where appropriate, comments, advice and endorsement of out of session papers within a requested timeframe. Communication between members of the Coalition, unless otherwise agreed, is to be made via email. 13. Media and public communications The Coalition may make appropriate complimentary public statements and communications on identified issues as agreed by the members of the Coalition. Media and public communications must be consistent with decisions of the Coalition. Page 5 of 6
Where the Coalition is requested to provide public comment on a specific issue, the appropriate peak organisation with responsibility for that specific area, as identified in this agreement, will be given an opportunity to formulate the response for consideration for endorsement by the Coalition. Public statements and communications made on behalf of the Coalition must have each Coalition members organisational logo, equally placed and sized. 14. Review The terms of the Memorandum of Understanding will be reviewed by the parties on the anniversary of 3 years from execution of the Memorandum of Understanding. The parties agree to amend or vary any or all terms of the Memorandum of Understanding or alternatively release and discharge each party from the performance of the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding. 15. Dispute resolution Where possible, the parties commit to dealing with any disputes between the parties through a process of confidential and without prejudice conciliation and mediation in order to minimise the need for external public dispute resolution mechanisms. 16. Non-binding In the spirit of cooperation, the parties enter into this Memorandum of Understanding in good faith and will use their best endeavours to effect the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding. For avoidance of doubt this Memorandum of Understanding is non-binding on the parties. Page 6 of 6