By the Partnerships and Engagement team, APS Reform at the Australian Public Service Commission
The Australian Public Service Commission is proud to release the First Nations Partnership Playbook. This new APS resource guides public servants to build strong and enduring partnerships with First Nations peoples, communities and organisations.
Partnerships with First Nations peoples are at the heart of priority reforms in the National Agreement to Closing the Gap. Australian governments have committed to ‘building and strengthening structures that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share decision-making authority with governments to accelerate policy and place-based progress against Closing the Gap.’
The Playbook is the first step toward consistent partnership skills and practices throughout the APS. It highlights elements to strong partnerships, the six functions of government as a partner and guides public servants who may be new to the partnership process. At its core, it engenders trust, understanding of history, openness and sustainable long-term relationships.
Public servants at all levels are encouraged to use the Playbook when designing policy, programs or services that affect First Nations peoples. All public servants are encouraged to be familiar with the Playbook and the practices. It is best to use the Playbook before you start, however, you can use it at any stage of a partnership process.
Further resources, use-cases and best practice case-studies will be made available alongside course offerings through the APS Academy Engagement and Partnership Craft: Engagement & Partnership | Australian Public Service Academy.
Charter of Partnerships and Engagement
The Charter of Partnerships and Engagement and the supporting Good Practice Guidance are practical resources to help all agencies strengthen their structures and approach to engage and partner with people, communities and business.
To find out more, visit the Charter of Partnerships and Engagement webpage.