NEW PAPER RELEASE

May 2026

Blueprint for a First Nations Fiscal Architecture in Australia released

The First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance and the Centre for Indigenous Economic Transformation at The Australian National University have released a new policy working paper, Blueprint for a First Nations Fiscal Architecture in Australia.

The paper outlines a practical framework to support First Nations fiscal and economic self-determination in Australia. It sets out four interconnected pillars: Revenue and Benefit Sharing; Financial System Blueprint; Influence and Decision-Making; and Legislative and Institutional Structures.

Drawing on comparative lessons from Canada, the United States and New Zealand, the paper argues that Australia now needs a more coherent architecture that connects rights, revenues, finance, institutions and decision-making. It highlights the importance of stronger First Nations institutions, fit-for-purpose capital, better revenue and benefit-sharing arrangements, and long-term pathways for intergenerational wealth creation.

The paper is released at a time when major clean energy, critical minerals and infrastructure development is increasingly intersecting with First Nations land, waters and economic interests. It makes the case that a stronger First Nations fiscal architecture is not only important for economic self-determination, but also for productivity, investment certainty and better long-term development outcomes for communities and the nation.

The paper also emphasises the need to build both national and community-level capability, including stronger First Nations financial institutions, improved access to capital, better economic measurement, and clearer implementation pathways to support reform over time.

Read the full paper: Blueprint for a First Nations Fiscal Architecture in Australia.