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.