Closing the Gap
The annual report to Parliament on progress in Closing the Gap
Closing the Gap in 2020
Closing the Gap began in response to a call for governments to commit to achieving equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health and life expectancy within a generation.
It is the story of a collective journey – a shared commitment to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live healthy and prosperous lives.
In 2020, there is a greater focus on partnership between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It heralds a new way forward, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share ownership, responsibility and accountability to drive progress for current and future generations.
Working in Partnership
To accelerate improvements in life outcomes, programs and services need to be designed, developed and implemented in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have called for a community-led, strengths-based approach, one that values their experience.
That is why in 2019, the Council of Australian Governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations signed the Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap. This historic Partnership places Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as shared decision-makers at the table.
Through the Partnership, the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap is being developed to set out priorities for the next ten years and outline targets and measures that will enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to forge their own pathways and reach their goals.
Stories of local action to create change
Families, Children and Youth
Support for families will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are safe, resilient and thriving.
In Moruya, NSW, the Equine Spirit Healing course is helping at risk girls develop life skills through interaction with horses. Activities designed around horses and horsemanship help develop skills for anger management and goal achievement, and are helping to raise self-esteem, build confidence and enhance communication skills.
Education
We’re investing in learning potential to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve their goals and flourish.
The Wuyagiba Bush Hub, in South-East Arnhem Land, is supporting local Aboriginal students to access higher education on-country, with an ambition to forge the remote Aboriginal leaders of the future. Under the leadership of local Elder, Kevin Rogers and Dr Emilie Ens of Macquarie University, Wuyagiba Bush Hub offers university preparation courses, interweaving cultural content with academic skills.
Economic Development
Strong partnerships between governments, industry, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled organisations and communities are helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to experience equal opportunity and prosperity.
In Western Australia, the Meekatharra Industry Group (MIG) is delivering local employment initiatives to improve the economic prosperity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the remote area. Working with the Yulella Aboriginal Corporation, industry and governments, MIG is supporting the development of innovative micro-enterprises, as well as local employment opportunities.
