Prime Minister Julia Gillard has promised that Indigenous Australians will have a greater say on how to best address the disadvantages suffered by their communities after the Government’s intervention strategy expires next year.

 

The intervention strategy, which was introduced in 2007, was a response to child sex abuse that was revealed in the Little Children Are Sacred report.

 

The Government has published a discussion paper to canvas opinions in the area

 

After winning power in 2007, Federal Labour opted to continue the policy of direct intervention, but made a number of modifications.

 

"We know this was started without consultation with Aboriginal people, and we know starting it without consultation did lead to feelings of hurt and feelings of shame," Ms Gillard said.

 

Gillard says the next step in closing the gap will have a specific focus.

 

"And we've focused on those three areas because they're pivotal to turning around the disadvantage we see in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory."

 

Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has said that the first round of consultations will start soon.

 

"I want those people who normally do not have a voice to have a voice in these conversations," Ms Macklin said.

 

"For those people who are the subject of domestic violence, for those children who are the subject of alcohol abuse, for their parents to be able to talk to me freely."

 

The Government has said it is committed to ensuring that all measures used will comply with the Racial Discrimination Act.