Portfolio — 28 August 2026

The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ms McCarthy, used today's media releases to advance two linked Closing the Gap commitments: direct investment in post-release support for First Nations people and a structural review of how governments fund the national agreement [TA-260828-pmc-09cab27c31ac] [TA-260828-pmc-2f1c0e6cc5c1].

**Justice through-care investment**

The Minister announced a $2 million investment in the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency's through-care program to support First Nations people leaving custody and reduce reoffending [TA-260828-pmc-09cab27c31ac] [TA-260828-pmc-386c07df0eef]. The funding directs resources to a community-controlled justice agency working with First Nations people at the point of transition out of custody [TA-260828-pmc-386c07df0eef].

**Productivity Commission review**

The Government released the Terms of Reference for the second Productivity Commission review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap [TA-260828-pmc-2f1c0e6cc5c1]. The Commission will examine funding, investment practices and community-controlled sector resourcing, reporting to the Joint Council on Closing the Gap by late 2027 [TA-260828-pmc-2f1c0e6cc5c1].

The review is the second such assessment of the National Agreement, directing attention to whether government funding practices adequately resource the community-controlled sector [TA-260828-pmc-2f1c0e6cc5c1].

**Partnership architecture**

Both announcements share a common framing. The portfolio's approach stresses partnership with the Coalition of Peaks, state and territory governments, and community-controlled organisations to align Closing the Gap funding with the four Priority Reforms and deliver measurable outcomes across health, housing, education, employment and justice [TA-260828-pmc-2f1c0e6cc5c1].

The through-care investment and the review's terms of reference together signal a dual focus on immediate service delivery and systemic accountability under the National Agreement.