Closing the gap targets failing to improve childhood development, reduce suicide rates

Nationally, only four out of the 19 targets are on track to be met by the 2031 deadline.

Australian and Aboriginal flags on poles.

The new data follows a recent review of the Closing the Gap agreement, commissioned by the Coalition of Peaks. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

New data shows "significant deserts" and service gaps are contributing to worsening rates of incarceration and childhood development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Just four of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track to be met, according to the latest data from the Productivity Commission.

But key targets, including adult imprisonment rates, children in out-of-home care, suicide and childhood development, are continuing to worsen.

The report comes as the number of First Nations people who have died in police or prison custody exceeds 600 deaths since a landmark royal commission handed down recommendations in 1991.
Productivity commissioner Selwyn Button said the review shows the outcomes of the agreement are falling well short of what governments have committed to.

The review found Indigenous community-controlled organisations are key to progress, and governments must listen to First Nations people and share decision-making power to create positive change.

"What the outcomes in the agreement reflect most of all is the limited progress of governments in collectively acting on the priority reforms: sharing decision making and data with communities; strengthening the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector and changing the way governments operate," he said.
Catherine Liddle, the CEO of peak Aboriginal advocacy body SNAICC, told Radio National the four improving targets are ones "the government truly committed to".

These targets are preschool program enrolments, employment, and land and sea native title and legal rights.

She said the government needs to "lean in and try harder" to address "significant deserts and gaps" in social services.

In particular, early childhood support needs to see improvement, she said, as preschool enrolments have a limited effect if children aren't prepared for school.

Only 33.9 per cent of children starting school were developmentally on track, a decrease from previous years.

The report also found that more than one-third of kids in youth detention last year first entered the system when they were 10–13 years old.

— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press

Readers seeking crisis support can ring Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). More information and support with mental health is available at beyondblue.org.au and on 1300 22 4636.

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.


For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.

Share
3 min read

Published

By Cameron Carr
Source: SBS News


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Closing the gap targets failing to improve childhood development, reduce suicide rates | SBS News