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The recently published NSW Closing the Gap Implementation Plan includes nine funded Families and Justice initiatives designed to improve outcomes for Aboriginal communities in NSW and transform how DCJ works. We sat down with DCJ Deputy Secretary and Families and Justice Sector Committee co-chair Paul O’Reilly to hear about the new plan and our commitment to improving outcomes under Closing the Gap.
The 2025-28 NSW Implementation Plan for Closing the Gap is our roadmap to achieving real progress towards Closing the Gap over the next three years. The plan outlines the NSW Government’s commitment to work in partnership with communities to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW. It details new initiatives that aim to improve outcomes across areas including justice, housing, education and family wellbeing.
We developed the plan in partnership with CAPO, the Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations, who we partner with on all aspects of Closing the Gap.
Learn more: Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO)
This Implementation Plan introduces a Change and Transformation Strategy to address structural issues that underpin Government’s ways of working. It aims to build awareness and capability for staff around the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms. These are the guiding principles that tell us how we need to change our ways of working to achieve our goals.
The plan also emphasises the importance of creating genuine partnerships between Government and community. We know that when Aboriginal people have a genuine say in things that affect them, we see better life outcomes. Closing the Gap commits Government to build true partnerships with Aboriginal communities and share decision making. Every part of this plan was developed jointly by government and community with the aim of providing real solutions to address barriers to change.
Learn more: Closing the Gap Priority Reforms
At DCJ, a lot of our work in Closing the Gap is overseen by the Families and Justice Sector Committee, which I co-chair with John Leha, CEO of AbSec. The Sector Committee is made up of representatives from Aboriginal Community-Controlled and Government organisations, who all provide unique insights into communities and their needs.
There are nine Families and Justice projects on the Implementation Plan that DCJ is co-leading with our lead CAPO partners – The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) and AbSec. They were chosen based on feedback and evidence that they meet the unique needs of our diverse Aboriginal communities, and show strong potential to deliver real, meaningful outcomes.
Learn more: Read the Implementation Plan to see the initiatives DCJ is leading.
The Priority Reforms provide Government agencies with a framework for doing things differently and making Closing the Gap part of our everyday work.
For example, Priority Reform 3, Transforming Government Organisations, asks us to tackle racism and create culturally safe environments for Aboriginal communities and staff.
Across DCJ, there are a number of teams championing this work including our Anti-Racism Unit, Transforming Aboriginal Outcomes (TAO) Division and Aboriginal Employment Strategy team. DCJ has a refreshed Anti-Racism Strategy, published in December 2025.
Some areas within DCJ are aligning their strategic plans directly with the Closing the Gap priority reforms. This includes exploring ways to share decisions with community, and prioritising Aboriginal employment in decision-making roles.
Our new Strategic Plan also includes safe and strong Aboriginal families as a priority for the next five years.
All DCJ staff have the opportunity to embrace the Priority Reforms in their everyday work. You can read more about the Priority Reforms and how DCJ is working to embed them on the DCJ intranet and website.
Learn more: What is DCJ doing to improve outcomes?
Read the full NSW Closing the Gap 2025–2028 Implementation Plan on the Aboriginal Affairs website.
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