Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage: The challenge for Australia
Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage: The challenge for Australia Report
all major documents
- Author(s): Australian Government,
- Published: 2009
- Publisher: Department of Families,, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Abstract: Addressing Indigenous disadvantage is a national responsibility that will require the energy and commitment of all Australians. Working with all parts of the Australian community, the Government is determined to drive real improvements, focused on outcomes and guided by evidence. Central to the Government’s strategy is a new partnership with Indigenous Australians, based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility. In the more than four decades since the 1967 Referendum, Australian governments have developed and funded policies and programs to improve the socio-economic status of Indigenous people, and overcome a long history of poverty and marginalisation. Progress has been made. Yet in 2009, despite the formal recognition of equality so many years ago, Indigenous people remain among the most disadvantaged Australians. Many simply do not have the opportunities afforded their fellow Australians, and many are not able to participate fully in our national life. Too many Indigenous Australians experience unacceptable levels of disadvantage in living standards, life-expectancy, education, health and employment. Rates of chronic disease, mental illness and hospitalisation are significantly higher for the Indigenous population than the non Indigenous population1. Literacy and numeracy results for Indigenous students are consistently below the national average, especially in remote areas2. The gulf that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in these critical areas remains significant and, in some areas, is widening as the rate of improvement has been greater for other Australians than for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over recent years3. In remote areas, successive governments have failed to properly coordinate their efforts and to fund them adequately, resulting in acute and visible need. In urban and regional areas, services provided for all Australians have not been accessed by or effectively delivered to Indigenous people. Blurred responsibilities have allowed Commonwealth, state and territory governments to avoid accountability for their failures. In more recent times, governments have taken strong action to intervene in Indigenous communities in order to protect children from violence and abuse. While such urgent action has been and may again be necessary in the future, too little focus has been given to the longer term task of building personal and community responsibility – a challenge that must be met if Indigenous life outcomes are to improve. The Australian Government is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous Australians, with state and territory governments, with business, community organisations and all Australians so that Indigenous Australians have access to opportunities that allow for self-respect, independence and better living standards – an education, a job, and a decent home – while still retaining a strong cultural identity and sense of community. It is unacceptable that Australia, a successful, developed nation with a modern economy, should tolerate fundamental inequality between its Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Notes: provides all reports and documents: Evaluation 2011 Monitoring reports 'Stronger Futures' 'Future Directions' – 2009 NTER redesign Northern Territory Emergency Response review – 2008 NTER taskforce Government Business Manager surveys Community feedback Community stores Income management Policing Youth projects Other publications Related information
- Urls: https://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/resources/closing-the-gap-on-indigenous-disadvantage-the-challenge-for-australia/
- Publisher Location: Canberra