Most Closing the Gap targets are not on track to be met, according to an annual progress report.
The Closing the Gap targets are designed to reduce disadvantage faced by First Nations people.
Of the 17 targets, only five of the targets are on track to be met. Four are worsening.
Here’s what you need to know about how Australia is tracking in Closing the Gap.
Closing the Gap
In 2008, the Federal Government introduced targets “to overcome the entrenched inequality” faced by First Nations people.
These are referred to as the Closing the Gap targets, which aim to make the “life outcomes” of First Nations people “equal to those of all Australians”.
In 2020, new targets were set because the original targets weren’t being met.
On track
First, here are the four targets that are on track:
- A healthy birthweight of nearly 90% of First Nations babies born
- A significant increase in the number of First Nations children enrolled in early education/ preschool
- An increase in the amount of land and waters that are under the rights or interests of First Nations people
- A majority of First Nations people aged 25-64 are employed
Progressing
These are the areas that are showing some improvement, but are not on track to meet targets:
- Life expectancy
- Year 12 completion rates
- Tertiary education qualification
- Youth employment or training
- Housing
The rate of young First Nations people in detention remains unchanged — it has not improved or worsened.
Currently, there isn’t enough data to assess the progress of family safety, languages spoken, internet access, and access to essential services.
Worsening
Four targets have been worsening and are not on track to closing the gap.
- Criminal justice
This target is to reduce the rate of First Nations adults incarcerated by 15% by 2031. In 2023, the proportion of First Nations adults in the prison population increased. - Social and emotional wellbeing
The rate of suicide for First Nations people increased from 2021 to 2022, and is not on track towards zero. In 2022, around 30 First Nations people per 100,000 died by suicide. - Child protection
This target is to reduce the proportion of First Nations children in out-of-home care. However, progress has gone backwards. In 2019, 5.4% of First Nations children were in out-of-home care, which increased to 5.7% in 2023. - Childhood development
In 2021, less than 35% of First Nations children were “developmentally on track” at the start of school. This is a decline from 2018, and means it’s not on track to meet the target of 55%.
Opposition
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said the progress report “is yet another indicator that we need a generational shift in how we try and close the gap.”
She said: “The Productivity Commission’s report highlighting the priority of the bureaucracies ‘to churn out documents’ is symptomatic of what is wrong with the current approach.”
Price is calling for an audit of Closing the Gap.
Response
Redfern Legal Centre CEO Camilla Pandolfini told TDA: “First Nations people and communities hold the answers to closing the gap and reducing the overrepresentation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system and in prison.”
“Genuine commitment to self-determination and to working in partnership with First Nations communities and organisations is needed to close the gap caused by colonisation and ongoing racism in our criminal justice systems in Australia.“
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