“Closing the Gap” refers to a government policy initiative in Australia aimed at addressing the significant disparities in health, education, employment, and other social outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. These disparities have historically existed and continue to be a pressing issue in the country.
The “Closing the Gap” initiative was first introduced in 2008 with the goal of closing the gap in life expectancy and improving other key indicators within a specific timeframe. The initiative involves cooperation between the Australian federal government, state and territory governments, and Indigenous organizations. It includes various strategies and targets to improve the socio-economic conditions of Indigenous communities and reduce the disparities they face.
Some of the key areas addressed by the “Closing the Gap” initiative include:
Health: This includes efforts to reduce the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, improve access to healthcare services, and address the higher rates of chronic diseases among Indigenous populations.
Education: The initiative aims to improve early childhood education, school attendance, and educational outcomes for Indigenous children and young people. This involves initiatives to support better access to quality education and training opportunities.
Employment: Efforts are made to increase Indigenous employment opportunities, enhance job skills, and promote economic participation in both urban and remote areas.
Housing: The program includes initiatives to improve housing conditions and reduce overcrowding in Indigenous communities.
Justice: Measures are taken to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system and to promote community safety and wellbeing.
The “Closing the Gap” initiative has undergone several updates and revisions over the years to refine its goals and strategies. It represents a commitment by the Australian government to work collaboratively with Indigenous communities to achieve better outcomes and a more equitable future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Progress toward closing the gap is monitored and reported on regularly to assess the effectiveness of the policies and programs implemented under this initiative.
Closing the Gap: more than $420m to be spent on water, housing and food security for the financial year 2023.
Governments provide funds(Tax Payers money) to address the Closing the Gap targets. These funds are mostly given to organisations and health services so that they can make health services more available and culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
During 2019–20, the Australian Government’s health expenditure for Indigenous Australians was $4,295 per person. Of this amount, 21% ($919 per person) was spent on Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), while 13% ($569) was allocated to the MBS
Encouragingly, there has been some progress made in the number of First Nations children enrolled in preschool and fewer First Nations youth in detention. However, overall it remains just four of the nineteen Closing the Gap targets are “on track”. 11 targets are “not on track”, and four targets can’t assess a trend.
40 Billions spend just on 3.% of the population paid from the Tax paid by other 97% Australians.
Closing the gap is just another money making plan, 40 Billions spent yearly and nothing changed, no improvement in life of ordinary Aborigine’s, Ministers, Elders and community leaders sharing most of the loot.
Unless we close the Closing the Gap, and treat everyone equally, and share resources equally nothing will change.
WHY SPECIAL TREATMENT ONLY FOR FEW WHO ARE SPERATISTS, DEMAND SEPARATE FLAG, STATE. GAP IS CREATED BY THEM, LET THEM FIX IT.
DO DNA TEST ON ALL SO CALLED ABORIGINALS and
STOP FUNDING
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