Commissioner appalled by new Closing the Gap figures
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, says she is appalled by Australia's profound lack of progress in Closing the Gap, following damning new figures released today by the Productivity Commission.
The Annual Data Compilation Report, which tracks Australia's performance and indicators in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, found that out of 19 targets: only 1 has been met, 3 are on track, 5 are improving but not on track and 4 are worsening. On average, the figures have worsened compared to previous years, which were already tracking at unacceptable rates.
'I am appalled by this, though sadly not surprised. We are now past the halfway mark of the 2031 Agreement, and nowhere remotely near being able to meet even half, let alone all, of the targets,' said Commissioner Kiss.
'Governments are responsible for these failures. The National Agreement was a promise made by Australian governments to First Peoples, and that promise is being broken. The cost of delay is devastating: loss of lives, families, culture, languages and opportunities.
'The targets that are worsening are directly related to policy approaches by state and territory governments that contradict their commitments under the agreement.
'The Federal Government has still not responded to the six recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee's 2023 Inquiry into implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), despite those recommendations providing a clear roadmap for strengthening rights and genuine partnership.'
What are the solutions?
'First Peoples' communities have consistently told governments what is needed to Close the Gap: give effect to our rights by implementing UNDRIP into law, safeguard protections in a national Human Rights Act, and establish independent monitoring and accountability mechanisms that hold governments to their commitments.
'The success of preschool enrolment shows what is possible when communities are trusted, properly resourced and empowered to lead. Governments must now build on that success by investing in early childhood development. If we get it right, we can dramatically – and positively – change the trajectory of children's lives.'
Commissioner Kiss said First Nations-controlled community organisations are doing their share of the work, but Australian governments are failing to do the heavy lifting needed to address entrenched disadvantage.
'In addition, my Social Justice Report, released last month, also found that Australia continues to treat the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as aspirational rather than enforceable.
'Progress is achieved where First Peoples are leading the work. This Partnership cannot succeed unless governments match that commitment with integrity and accountability.
'Today's figures demolish any claim that we don't know what works. The evidence is overwhelming: when governments back Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, share decision-making and support self-determination, outcomes improve. When they don't, progress stalls or goes backwards.
'Australians would see these failures as unacceptable, despite what governments are trying to tell us. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are still being removed from their families, funnelled into detention and denied the opportunities they deserve, while adult imprisonment rates continue to climb, and health outcomes diminish.
'When governments ignore both the evidence and the voices of communities, the Australian people should demand better.'
