Executive Summary This year’s annual report from the Close the Gap Steering Committee tells stories of transformation and success through the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We aim to elevate the voices of those working tirelessly to support our communities and support their calls for change in health and wellbeing services, policies and programs. Over the past 12 months, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have continued to work on behalf of their communities to face the unprecedented health challenge of a global pandemic. This report focuses on the strengths and success of these community-led initiatives in the face of such challenges, recognising the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in driving innovation and creating change. The themes of this year’s report are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led transformation, gender justice: equality and equity, and allyship. The report speaks to each of themes, with a clear message that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in forging effective partnerships is key to transforming health and wellbeing policies and programs. While there have been several notable developments in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy over the last 12 months, including the roll-out of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the release of a new 10-year National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan, a paradigm shift in health and wellbeing policy and planning is needed. It is critical that policies and programs are developed and delivered in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to ensure the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities are identified and addressed. Health equity can be achieved when models and approaches are self-determined and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led.” June Oscar AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner It is the responsibility of governments to lead system reforms and, for this to work, it must be accompanied by increased investment in the four priority reform areas identified within the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. These priority areas have been strategically identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as overarching areas required to drive better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. All governments have committed to them in the National Agreement, and significant reform can be achieved where there is matching political will and investment. Sustaining our allyship with our partners to support self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.” Karl Briscoe, CEO, National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners 6 Transforming Power: Voices for Generational Change