Life outcomes for Indigenous Australians are deteriorating despite initiatives to Close the Gap, according to recently released data by the Productivity Commission.
The data reveals mixed results across various outcome indicators, indicating that the overall gap is not narrowing. While there have been slight improvements in tertiary qualification rates, early childhood education, and employment rates, areas such as adult incarceration rates and developmental school readiness have worsened.
Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney emphasizes the need for significant structural reform, suggesting that an Indigenous Voice to parliament would help address the Closing the Gap targets effectively.
However, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has been accused of politicizing the issue during a visit to Alice Springs, highlighting crime and violence levels in the town.
The data presents a complex picture, with incremental improvements in socioeconomic indicators but an overall failure to close the gap. Concerns are particularly raised regarding the state of care for Indigenous children, despite some positive changes in the data.
Child protection numbers are off track and worsening, with an increase in the number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. While the number of substantiated child protection notifications has decreased, issues of emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse persist.
The trend highlights the urgent need for governments at all levels to prioritize keeping Indigenous children with their families and developing safe pathways for reporting concerns.