Inroads made in closing the gap

Relationships with community are vital to closing the gap: (from left) Adela Mirrirri Yunupingu, the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and Maryanne Yalmakany Yunupingu nursing Latoya Banbirrngu Gurruwiwi, Yirrkala, NT, June 2011.

Inroads are being made in tackling Indigenous disadvantage, as outlined in the Closing the Gap Prime Minister’s Report 2012.

The Closing the Gap report, which will be tabled by the Prime Minister in Parliament on 15 February 2012, shows that the foundations are now in place to build lasting change across the country. Progress made so far, as outlined in the report, includes:

• We are on track to meet the under-five mortality target with a continued decline in mortality rates for Indigenous children — falling by 48 per cent from 1991 to 2010 across the three jurisdictions in which long-term comparison is possible (Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory).
• Overall Indigenous mortality rates have declined by 36 per cent from 1991 to 2010 in the three jurisdictions for which reliable data are available for this period (Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory).
• Indigenous children are doing better at school including strong improvements in National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results for Indigenous students. In seven of the eight areas in which we can assess progress at the national level, the gap with non-Indigenous students narrowed from 2008 to 2011.

The Australian Government is working with Indigenous people to improve services in areas such as health, education and housing, as part of an unprecedented effort to improve life expectancy and opportunities for Indigenous people.

Ending this unacceptable disadvantage will take time. It will also require a sustained effort by all governments, businesses, not-for-profit organisations, Indigenous Australians and the wider community.

• Read the joint media release.
• Download the 2012 Closing the Gap Report.
• Find out more about Closing the Gap.

 

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  Housing milestone for Alice Springs town camps

  7 December 2011
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  Housing: A solid foundation

  5 December 2011
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  House proud

  12 October 2011
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  A home away from home

  6 October 2011
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  A fresh start for Alice Springs

  4 August 2011
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  Census puts communities in the picture

  14 July 2011
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  A place to call their own

  21 June 2011
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  Power in the bush

  27 May 2010

Find out more

Healthy Homes are one of the building blocks in the Closing the Gap strategy, agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). Well built and maintained houses are vital to good health, schooling, family safety and jobs.

Two National Partnership Agreements – on Social Housing and Homelessness respectively – as well as the Social Housing Initiative, part of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, are increasing construction of social housing and reducing homelessness for all Australians, including Indigenous people living in regional and urban areas.

Over 10 years the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing will provide up to 4,200 new houses in remote Indigenous communities, upgrades to around 4,800 existing houses, as well as housing checks, maintenance, improvements to town camps, and accommodation for people travelling to get work.

In the Northern Territory the Australian Government is making major investments through the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program and the Alice Springs Transformation Plan.

The Australian Government also helps Indigenous people to buy their home. The Home Ownership Program, through Indigenous Business Australia, assists Indigenous families to purchase homes including on Indigenous-owned land.

The Executive Director of Township Leasing is an independent statutory office holder who works with communities to ensure that each township lease is managed effectively and provides a real benefit to the community.

Aboriginal Hostels Limited provides temporary accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people around Australia.

For more information on Indigenous housing, go to:
Housing & Homelessness and Indigenous Housing at the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.