Gap Isn't Closing

The Productivity Commission's latest data shows a number of key Closing the Gap targets are 'not on track'.

The healthy birthweights for babies target has gone from being 'on track' to 'not on track' in the latest update of data.

Of the new data, 9 targets are 'not on track' and just 2 targets are 'on track'. Combined with the existing data, there are 11 targets are now 'not on track' and 4 'on track'.

The gap is not closing fast enough and on some measures it is going backwards.

Every level of government needs to redouble its efforts to improve outcomes for First Nations peoples across a range of targets.

The PC data shows some encouraging increases in the employment target as well as land mass subject to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's legal rights or interests.

The latest data follows last month's release of the 2023 Closing the Gap Implementation Plan.

The new Implementation Plan invests more than $400 million in additional funding to Closing the Gap. New measures in the 2023 Implementation Plan include:

• $150 million over four years to support First Nations water infrastructure and provide safe and reliable water for remote and regional Indigenous communities through the National Water Grid Fund. This will be targeted at communities that currently do not have access to clean drinking water.
• $111.7 million Commonwealth contribution to a new one-year partnership with the Northern Territory Government to accelerate building of new remote housing, targeted at addressing the worst over-crowding.
• $11.8 million over two years for the National Strategy for Food Security in remote First Nations communities. This is about making essential food more affordable and accessible in remote communities.

The plan highlights the importance of formal partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.

Nine Targets Have New Data Updated March 2023:

Targets Not On Track

• Target 2 - By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies with a healthy birthweight to 91 per cent, is improving, but not on track.
• Target 5 - By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (age 20-24) attaining year 12 or equivalent qualification to 96 per cent, is improving, but not on track.
• Target 6 - By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-34 years who have completed a tertiary qualification (Certificate III and above) to 70 per cent, is improving, but not on track.
• Target 7 - By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth (15-24 years) who are in employment, education or training to 67 per cent, is improving, but not on track.
• Target 9A - By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) housing to 88 per cent, is improving, but not on track.
• Target 14 - Significant and sustained reduction in suicide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards zero, is not on track and worsening.
• Target 15B - By 2030, a 15 per cent increase in sea covered by, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's legal rights or interests, is improving, but not on track.

Targets On Track

• Target 8 - By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-64 who are employed to 62 per cent, is improving and on track.
• Target 15A - By 2030, a 15 per cent increase in land mass subject to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's legal rights or interests, is improving and on track

Quotes attributable to Minister Burney:

"Closing the Gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and the wider Australian community is a top priority for the Albanese Labor Government.

"The gap is not closing fast enough. I know many people are frustrated by the lack of progress.

"It is particularly disappointing to see the target for healthy birthweights for babies has gone from being 'on track' to 'not on track'.

"More of the same isn't good enough. We need to do things differently by working in partnership with communities to get better results.

"The Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, launched last month, sets a clear path forward for how we plan to achieve the targets and priority reforms set out in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

"We will continue to work in partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and state and territory governments and eventually a Voice to address these results."

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McCarthy:

"It is so important to keep a close eye on new data to ensure we can respond effectively to challenges facing First Nations communities.

"The latest data on Closing the Gap progress is not good enough and our Government is making significant changes in the delivery of First Nations policy and support for communities to get ahead.

"As we progress our priorities on better health, housing, education and jobs, we will begin to see more First Nations Australians achieving their full potential.

"Every Australian deserves to live a long, healthy and happy life. Our government will work every day to close the profound, unacceptable gap that exists in this country."