It was the first such agreement to be struck directly between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and governments, with the aim of boosting the role of Indigenous community-controlled organisations in delivering services to their communities.
Ms Turner played a lead role in forging the agreement, as convenor of the Indigenous Coalition of Peaks working with the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt. She is also the chief executive officer of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
But she will warn that governments “need [now] to demonstrate that their institutions and bureaucracy can embrace the change … it is early days and the months and years ahead will be testing times”.
Ms Turner is the niece of legendary Aboriginal leader Charlie Perkins who became the first Indigenous Australian to head a government department, and led the 1965 Freedom Ride through regional NSW, drawing attention to the discrimination and parlous living conditions facing many Aboriginal communities.
In her oration, Ms Turner recalls how much of an inspiration her uncle was to her as a young girl, when he travelled back to Alice Springs and recounted his battles for civil rights.
“To the nation, Charlie is remembered as a man who dedicated his life to achieving justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people … a renowned activist,” she will say. “To me Charlie will always be the man who came home and talked under the tree.”
The landmark 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart called for a Voice for Indigenous Australians to be enshrined in the constitution, but the Morrison government opposes giving such a body any constitutional basis, or allowing it to directly advise parliament.
