Community Control and Closing the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Populations' Health

AGENDA

• Review of previous content
• History of Closing the Gap
• Changes in implementation and measures
• Role of NACCHO and ACCHOs in Closing the Gap

HISTORY OF CLOSING THE GAP

• 2005:

  • Social Justice Report by Tom Calma, Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice.
  • Urged the Australian Government to commit to achieving health equity for First Nations Peoples in 25 years.

• 2006:

  • Launch of the Indigenous Health Equity Campaign by non-government agencies responding to Calma's report.

• 2007:

  • COAG Pledge: Commitment by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to close gaps in life expectancy, child mortality, and educational achievements within a decade.

• 2008:

  • COAG approved the National Indigenous Reform Agreement focusing on:
  1. Life expectancy
  2. Child mortality
  3. Early childhood care and education access
  4. Literacy and numeracy achievements
  5. Year 12 attainment
  6. Employment

• 2009:

  • First Closing the Gap Report tabled in Parliament.

• 2009-2015:

  • Annual reports released, noting declines in employment outcomes and life expectancy.
  • Additional target of school attendance added in 2015.

• 2016:

  • COAG agreed to refresh targets set to expire in 2018, involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

• 2017-18:

  • Hosted 29 national roundtables with over 1,200 participants to gather input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

• 2018:

  • Presentation of a Statement by First Nations Peoples prioritizing a new Closing the Gap agenda emphasizing empowerment and self-determination.

• 2019:

  • Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap 2019-2029 signed by all Australian Governments and the Coalition Peaks.

THE REDFERN STATEMENT (2017)

• A call to action noting: "We have the Solutions". Advocated for shared decision-making between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and government in closing the gap.

COALITION OF PEAKS

• Formed from various Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies to improve partnership with governments in closing the gap.
• Governing boards elected by communities to ensure accountability.
• Aims for genuine partnership with the National Cabinet and comprises over 800 community-controlled organisations.

CURRENT CLOSING THE GAP AGREEMENT (2019-2029)

• 10-year cycle with annual reporting.

• Focus on:

  1. Formal partnership and shared decision-making
  2. Building the community-controlled sector
  3. Transforming government organisations
  4. Shared access to data/information

• 17 Socioeconomic Targets: Emphasizes the need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control over their data.

Key Targets:

1. Life Expectancy: 71.9 years for males, 75.6 years for females.
2. Healthy Birth Weight: 89.2% of babies in 2022.
3. Child Development: 34.3% of children 'developmentally on track' in 2021.
4. Education: 68.1% Year 12 attainment for ages 20-24 in 2021.
5. Economic Participation: 55.7% employment rate for ages 25-64 in 2021.
6. Youth Engagement: 58.0% engagement in education/employment among ages 15-24 in 2021.
7. Prison Rates: 2,304.4 per 100,000 adults in prison in 2024.

SOCIOECONOMIC TARGETS (Continued)

8. Youth Justice: 8.4% of young people in custody in 2023-24.
9. Child Protection: 26.1 per 10,000 children in out-of-home care in 2024.
10. Family Safety: 50.3 per 1,000 females faced physical harm in 2018-19.
11. Social and Emotional Wellbeing: 30.8 per 100,000 suicide rate in 2023.
12. Land Rights: 4,314,744 km² of land and 113,517 km² of sea country under Aboriginal rights in 2024.
13. Cultural Heritage: 123 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages spoken.
14. Access to Information: 88.3% internet usage in 2022-23.

REFERENCES & READINGS

• Links to history and policies:

  • Closing the Gap History
  • Partnership Agreement
  • Closing the Gap Dashboard

• Articles and reports on Indigenous self-determination and health disparities.