The 2024 Closing the Gap report, released in the aftermath of the failed Voice referendum, presents a stark picture of Indigenous disadvantage in Australia. Key metrics, including imprisonment rates, suicide rates, and child protection involvement, have worsened, deepening concerns about the efficacy of current policies.
The number of Indigenous Australians in prison has risen to 2,266 per 100,000 adults, and suicide rates have increased to 30 per 100,000. The number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care also continues to rise, with 57 per 1,000 children affected. These alarming trends underscore the significant challenges still facing Indigenous communities, despite years of effort under the Closing the Gap framework.
Out of 19 targets monitored by the Productivity Commission, only five are currently on track. While some areas, such as preschool enrollments and land and sea rights, show progress, most measures are either stagnating or regressing. Life expectancy, though improved, remains below that of non-Indigenous Australians, with Indigenous men expected to live 71.9 years and women 75.6 years, compared to 81.2 years and 85.3 years for non-Indigenous Australians, respectively. These figures indicate that the 2031 targets for life expectancy and other critical areas are unlikely to be met.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, the newly appointed Minister for Indigenous Australians, has expressed deep concern over these trends, calling them “deeply troubling.” She emphasized the need for renewed collaboration across all levels of government and with Indigenous communities to reverse these negative trends. McCarthy has pledged to work in partnership with First Nations Australians, the Coalition of Peaks, and state and territory governments to drive positive change. However, the path forward is fraught with challenges, particularly in achieving consensus on how to measure and address priority areas.
Catherine Liddle, co-convener of the Coalition of Peaks, criticized the continued reliance on non-Indigenous-operated service providers, arguing that community-controlled services achieve better outcomes for Indigenous people. She emphasized the importance of Indigenous involvement in decision-making, echoing the sentiment that “nothing about us without us” should guide future efforts.
The report’s findings highlight the urgent need for a new engagement with First Nations peoples in Australia. While some progress has been made, the overall picture remains grim, with significant work required to close the gaps in health, education, and social outcomes. The defeat of the Voice referendum has added to the complexity of addressing these issues, raising questions about the future direction of Indigenous policy in Australia.