Snapshot: Different approaches to governance and development

Standard approach

Nation-rebuilding approach

Culture is portrayed as problematic.

Culture is seen as a strength and asset.

Decision making is short term, non-strategic and often externally controlled.

Decision making is able to be longer term, strategic and under the control of the nation.

External parties set the future direction.

Future agenda setting is directed by the nation.

Development is treated as primarily an economic problem and goal.

Development is seen as an interrelated social, economic and cultural goal.

Leaders act as hunters and distributors of resources and services, and make ill-informed decisions.

Leaders act as stewards, nation-builders, mediators and mobilisers, and can make decisions based on plans.

Accountability is upwards to external parties and focuses on financial administration.

Accountability is downwards to the nation’s members and focuses on collective goals.

Governing rules and frameworks are based on external values, standards and concepts.

Governing rules and frameworks reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander political cultures and concepts.

The result is failed governance and enterprises; politicised decisions; a governance culture that is dependent on external funds and remedial intervention; an impression of chaos and dysfunction; and continued poverty.

The result is growing governance capacity; consensus decision making; sustainable enterprises and community development; a governance culture where risk is evaluated, managed and diversified; an impression of competence and resilience; and socioeconomic progress.