Closing the Gap Report Reveals Worsening Outcomes for Indigenous Australians
Only four of 19 targets are on track as calls grow for government accountability and community-led solutions.
- The latest Closing the Gap report shows worsening outcomes in key areas, including Indigenous incarceration, suicide rates, and child removals, with only four of 19 targets on track nationally.
- The Productivity Commission criticized governments for a lack of meaningful action, calling the continuation of current approaches 'the definition of insanity.'
- Advocates emphasize the importance of community-led programs, with some successes seen in states investing in Indigenous-controlled services.
- The 2020 National Agreement, designed to improve Indigenous engagement and accountability, has yet to deliver significant progress, prompting calls for independent accountability mechanisms.
- Despite some state-level improvements, such as reduced youth detention in Victoria, most jurisdictions are falling short of their commitments under the framework.