Co-designing public policy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Background Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have prevailed since time immemorial and embody extensive knowledge systems. Australian policy development has historically overlooked such knowledges, which has led to misinformed policies contributing to persisting systematic inequities. These disparities highlight the inadequacy of conventional policy design approaches to effectively integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap calls for culturally responsive policies, shaped by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges. Aim We explore co-designing policy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to develop a framework that embeds Indigenous governance and knowledge systems in policy design, to generate culturally responsive policy. Methods Indigenous governance was provided by the Co-design Brains Trust, comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with policymaking, co-design and cultural knowledge expertise. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and knowledge systems were prioritised through our collaborative yarning methods. The study used qualitative research, which adopted a strengths-based examination of existing theoretical foundations for, and prospective applications of, policy co-design. Realist and framework analyses were applied to unravel complex policymaking contexts, mechanisms and outcomes. Results and Discussion We found that colonial policy has perpetuated historical inequities and harms to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Policymakers have failed to recognise the significant impact of Western biases on policy design and subsequent funding, programs, and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A transformative shift is needed to create culturally responsive policy that meets the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Co-designing policy provides a means to accomplish this. While the rhetoric appealing for codesigning policy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is becoming increasingly acknowledged, progress is disjointed, inconsistent and tokenistic in many cases. We consolidate best-practice evidence into a culturally grounded framework to assist policymakers to co-design culturally responsive policy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Conclusion Policy co-design is a transformative approach to bridge the widening gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique needs and the institutional structures impacting them. Our framework promotes self-determination in policy codesign as well as the systems requiring change to enact policy co-design.