Closing the Gap

Australian government policy to reduce Indigenous disadvantage

Closing the Gap is an Australian government policy aimed at reducing disadvantage among Indigenous Australians in areas such as health, education, and employment. The policy was initiated in response to the Social Justice Report 2005 by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, which highlighted significant disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Background

The term "Closing the Gap" refers to the gap in life expectancy, educational achievement, and employment opportunities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The policy was formally adopted by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2008, with a commitment to achieving equality in health status and life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by 2030.

Targets

The Closing the Gap strategy initially set out six key targets:

• Close the life expectancy gap within a generation.
• Halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five within a decade.
• Ensure access to early childhood education for all Indigenous four-year-olds in remote communities within five years.
• Halve the gap in reading, writing, and numeracy achievements for Indigenous students within a decade.
• Halve the gap in Year 12 attainment rates for Indigenous students by 2020.
• Halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade.

Progress and Challenges

Progress towards these targets has been mixed. While there have been improvements in some areas, such as Year 12 attainment and child mortality rates, other areas, such as life expectancy and employment, have seen less progress. The complexity of the issues, including the impact of social determinants of health, systemic discrimination, and historical injustices, has made achieving these targets challenging.

Revised Framework

In 2020, a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap was established, which introduced additional targets and a greater emphasis on partnership with Indigenous communities. The revised framework includes 16 socio-economic targets and focuses on areas such as housing, justice, and land and waters rights.

Partnerships and Governance

The success of Closing the Gap relies on effective partnerships between governments, Indigenous organisations, and communities. The Coalition of Peaks, a representative body of over 50 Indigenous community-controlled peak organisations, plays a crucial role in the governance and implementation of the policy.

Criticism and Future Directions

Despite some successes, the Closing the Gap policy has faced criticism for its slow progress and lack of sufficient funding. Advocates argue for a more holistic approach that addresses the root causes of disadvantage and empowers Indigenous communities to lead the change.

See also

• Indigenous health in Australia
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education
• Indigenous employment in Australia
• Social determinants of health