Closing the gap failing Aboriginal communities
Following a scathing new report into the federal government’s Closing the Gap initiative, local representative bodies are calling for a shakeup of the system.
Walgett-based NSW Aboriginal Lands Councillor Anne Dennis and the Executive Director of Bourke’s Maranguka project have both welcomed the Productivity Commission’s report.
The report was publicly released on February 7th, showing a poor result in attempts to close the health and life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians.
The commission’s data on Closing the Gap showed four of 17 targets were on track to be met, while another four were going backwards.
“Overall progress against the priority reforms has been slow, uncoordinated and piecemeal,” the commission said.
The key message is that fundamental changes are required to deliver on the agreement.
NSW Aboriginal Land Councillor, Anne Dennis, said many Aboriginal organisations were calling for Aboriginal people to be more involved.
“Aboriginal people need to be included in the process if we’re going to get better outcomes,” Councillor Dennis said. […]
Read more in the printed edition of The Western Herald.
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