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.