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Prime Minister Delivers Closing the Gap Report, Announces New Funding, and Addresses Perth Incident

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Mixed Progress and New Funding for Closing the Gap Announced by Prime Minister

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed parliament on Thursday, presenting his annual report on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The report detailed mixed progress across the 19 targets, with four currently on track and six showing improvement, while others are regressing. During his address, the Prime Minister announced an additional $600 million in new funding for various Indigenous programs and initiatives. He also acknowledged the alleged terrorist attack at an Invasion Day rally in Boorloo/Perth, stating it was motivated by racism.

"The government is not contemplating failure regarding the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, asserting that focusing on failure would disregard the aspirations and achievements of Indigenous Australians, along with the efforts of leaders and communities."

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap represents a collaborative effort involving the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, and the Coalition of Peaks.

Progress Towards Targets

The latest data reveals that four out of 19 targets are currently on track to be met by 2031, with an additional six targets showing improvement. The target for 95% of children enrolled in pre-school is anticipated to be achieved once new data is released later this year.

Data released last year indicated the following targets were on track:

  • Increasing land and sea rights.
  • Adult employment rates.
  • Early childhood education enrollment rates.

Targets identified as regressing include:

  • Rates of suicide.
  • Children in out-of-home care.
  • Adult incarceration.
  • Early childhood development.

It was noted that data for domestic violence rates has not been updated.

Progress has varied significantly across states and territories. New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory have shown progress in reducing the number of children in out-of-home care, despite a national trend of worsening outcomes in this area. Similarly, Western Australia, Victoria, and South Australia are making progress in reducing youth detention, though the national trend for youth detention remains unchanged from 2016-17 levels.

New Funding Commitments

The government announced several new commitments, totaling over $600 million:

  • Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) Scheme: An additional $299 million will be allocated to expand jobs in remote communities, aiming to create 6,000 jobs by 2030.
  • Community Health Clinics: $144.1 million for upgrades and repairs to community-controlled health clinics.
  • Remote Store Subsidies: $27.4 million to extend subsidies for 30 essential grocery items in remote stores.
  • Food Storage: $32.7 million for food storage infrastructure to assist 75 additional remote stores in managing extreme weather conditions.
  • Birthing on Country Programs: $44.4 million for maternal care programs.
  • Short-term Hostel Accommodation: $48.3 million for short-term hostel accommodation.

Beyond these specific announcements, the government confirmed that a $25 billion funding agreement reached last month with states and territories includes $450 million dedicated to Indigenous health. This allocation comprises $250 million from the Commonwealth and $200 million from the states.

Mental health support service 13YARN will receive $13.9 million to extend its operating hours and launch a text message service. Furthermore, the first standalone national plan to address violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children was launched on Tuesday, supported by $220 million in federal funding over four years.

Stakeholder Responses and Reviews

Scott Wilson, deputy lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, stated that achieving the objectives of Closing the Gap requires empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organizations to lead solutions, citing previous successes.

In contrast, Opposition spokeswoman for Indigenous Australians, Kerrynne Liddle, criticized the progress, stating that Closing the Gap targets continue to worsen. She emphasized the urgent need for prioritization of family violence data.

The 2020 Closing the Gap agreement was signed with the Coalition of Peaks, which represents over 80 community-controlled organizations (ACCOs). While governments committed to increasing funding for ACCOs, a 2024 Productivity Commission review found that state and federal governments' engagement with Indigenous communities had been "tokenistic." A 2023 independent First Nations-led review by the Jumbunna Institute also found that ACCOs were "doing the heavy lifting while at the same time being under-resourced in comparison with government."

Acknowledgment of Perth Incident

Prime Minister Albanese also addressed the alleged terrorist attack that occurred at an Invasion Day rally in Boorloo/Perth on January 26. He stated that the incident presented real danger and was motivated by racism and white supremacy ideology. The Prime Minister acknowledged the reported impact of the incident on First Nations people and affirmed the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to gather and express views without fear of violence, and to hold an equal place in the nation. He concluded his address to First Nations people by stating, "We see you. We stand with you."