Australian Treasury publishes First Nations Economic Partnership communiqué with draft economic framework due by end 2026 and finance council co-design

The Australian Treasury has published the communiqué from the fourth First Nations Economic Partnership meeting, setting out agreed next steps across the Partnership's main workstreams. The partners will develop the First Nations Economic Framework through a phased engagement process aimed at producing a draft by the end of 2026, while also advancing work on access to capital, Specialist Investment Vehicles and employment initiatives. On capital and institutional arrangements, the relevant working group will prepare advice for government on how Specialist Investment Vehicles can better support First Nations economic empowerment. Options under consideration include implementing the Closing the Gap priority reforms, improving access to finance, embedding First Nations considerations in SIV planning and operations, and strengthening data, reporting and accountability. The partners also agreed to co-design a fit-for-purpose First Nations Investment and Finance Council model for government consideration, including how it would interact with existing governments, institutional investors and philanthropy. On employment, the working group is focusing first on expanding jobs and strengthening career pathways in the community-controlled sector and on developing a model for economic inclusion zones aligned with broader government investment and place-based initiatives. The communiqué states that information on opportunities to contribute to the Economic Framework process will be published shortly. The next First Nations Economic Partnership meeting is scheduled for 22 July 2026.