Closing the Gap of Indigenous Disadvantage

The Closing the Gap Annual Compilation Report July 24 provided some distressing conclusions, “We have assessed 15 out of the 19 socio-economic targets, which includes new data for nine targets since last year. Some targets are on track to be achieved, such as healthy birthweight, pre-school enrolment, and land and sea subject to Indigenous rights.

Norman Miller Around the Campfire, Sitting on a Stump

However, outcomes are worsening in four areas: children removed into out-of-home care by child protection systems, the proportion of children who are developmentally on track, the rate of people taking their own lives and the number of adults imprisoned. And while five outcomes have improved since measured at the commencement of the Agreement, they are not on track to be met. This includes life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

Regarding the National Agreement between Indigenous people and government, it has been found that, “Governments must evolve new mindsets, loosen government processes and work hand‑in‑hand with First Nations people and communities on solutions that will work in individual communities.” https://www.niaa.gov.au/resource-centre/commonwealth-closing-gap-2024-annual-report-and-2025-implementation-plan)

I stand for:

• Implementation of all Closing the Gap initiatives, some of which are:

  • Greater sharing of decision making with First Nations people focusing on co design and culturally appropriate approaches, supporting First Nations led research, and greater service delivery by Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations.

  • More new renal dialysis clinics in regional and remote sites

  • Increase the number of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) Indigenous Home Ownership Program concessional loans

  • Implement core funding to support the ongoing operations of SNAICC and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) as First Nation education Peaks

  • Implement the Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) First Nations prison to employment program in up to 15 locations

  • Invest $21.6 million to provide critical family, domestic and sexual violence services to First Nations communities

• Establish a Royal Commission into Sexual Abuse in Indigenous Communities and implement reforms guided by community recommendations

• Enable Indigenous communities to use their land and resources for economic development. One example is my support for the Mabo Centre which is working to have native title royalties tied up in trusts available for economic development

• Ensure funding to Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations to improve Indigenous lives are achieving the outcomes designed

• Improve infrastructure on remote communities, training and employment for all and recreational opportunities for youth

• High rise cyclone-proof buildings should be built on remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for use by residents during natural disasters

• As well as supporting the Chinese Cultural and Heritage Centre proposed for the Cairns region, I support the call of the Aboriginal elders of the Cairns region for a First Nations Cultural Centre