2016-02-10
The bitterly disappointing Prime Minister’s report on Closing the Gap shows there are many areas with next to no change in cutting Aboriginal disadvantage across the key areas, Senator Rachel Siewert has said today.
“Today another Prime Minister has looked the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the eye and promised best efforts to Close the Gap despite another report showing we are going nowhere on most targets.
“Prime Minister Turnbull has used his ‘innovation’ and ‘business’ buzzwords but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country are still more likely to be incarcerated, die younger than non-Indigenous Australians and end up in out of home care. On average, Aboriginal people can expect to die a decade earlier than non-Indigenous Australians.
“Until the Government reinstates much need federal funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services that they ripped from the 2014-15 budget, and commits to fund the health implementation plan, attempts to Close the Gap will fail.
“Improving health outcomes by addressing institutional racism in health settings must be a priority for the Prime Minister. It is all well and good promoting economic solutions but the fact remains Aboriginal people do not receive lifesaving treatment as a result of racism.
“Time and time again the experts in this space have called for justice targets to Close the Gap on incarceration, Prime Minister Turnbull must commit to these.
“The Closing the Gap committee has turned its attention to the exacerbated disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait people with disability, and has called for Close the Gap targets. I urge the Government to consider this.
“Whilst the Prime Minister tabled the Close the Gap report today, the Northern Territory intervention and plans to roll out the cashless welfare card remain. Until the Government abandons these awful paternalistic policies that entrench poverty, promises to work Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples remain hollow.
“Importantly, it must be acknowledged that we can't Close the Gap while Australia has unfinished business. I'm disappointed that the Prime Minister did not address this issue and urge him to keep the door open on treaties which recognise prior occupation, and the sovereignty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“I will continue to urge the Government to consider recommendations that will help Close the Gap heading into 2017. We are a wealthy nation, we can afford to Close the Gap for just 3% of our population that face disproportionate disadvantage”.