ANTaR Close the Gap
2022 Federal Election Scorecard
In this 2022 Federal Election Scorecard, ANTaR has provided a guide to the policies of the Liberal-National Coalition, the Australian Labor Party and the Greens, in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. We’ve provided Australian voters with an independent assessment of Federal Election platforms for 25 years, elevating issues of justice, rights and respect for First Nations Peoples.
Read(pdf 356.38 KB)Close the Gap Campaign Report 2022: Transforming Power – Voices for Generational Change
Amid an ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic which has presented unprecedented health challenges for all Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are leading the way in transforming health and community services, policies, and programs, by rebuilding them with the foundations of culture and Country at the centre.
These community-led solutions respond effectively to current and future needs in a robust and holistic way, using cultural knowledge and practices to restore the wellbeing of their communities.
This report features nine case studies that demonstrate the essential role of Aboriginal and Torres Islander led decision-making and self-determination and need for reflection and accountability from governments and mainstream services. Each one is an exemplar of cultural strength, which lift expectations of what can be achieved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing through innovative, culturally safe, community driven solutions.
Read(pdf 25.32 MB)SUBMISSION: Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme
ANTaR commends the Federal Government for introducing the Stolen Generations Redress Scheme for the First Nations Peoples of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Compensation for the generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, both children and their parents and families, is long overdue after the already all too slow formal Apology given in 2008.
Read(pdf 233.81 KB)SUBMISSION: ACT Raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility
ANTaR commends the ACT Government for being the leading jurisdiction in Australia to pursue this legislative change. We appreciate the need to weigh up the best way to protect young children from adverse and damaging interaction with the justice system, and particularly incarceration and the need to continue serving and protecting the wider community.
Read(pdf 218.69 KB)Policy Brief: Close the Gap Campaign Report 2021
The Lowitja Institute has produced the simplified Policy Brief to accompany the 2021 Close the Gap Campaign Report - Leadership and Legacy Through Crises: Keeping our Mob safe.
Read(pdf 1.05 MB)LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY THROUGH CRISES: KEEPING OUR MOB SAFE – CLOSE THE GAP CAMPAIGN REPORT 2021
The 12th annual Close the Gap Campaign report entitled, Leadership and Legacy
Through Crises: Keeping our Mob safe is a wakeup call to Australian Governments that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the solutions to health inequality in their grasp.This year’s report was produced by the Lowitja Institute, Australia’s community controlled national institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research,on behalf of the Close the Gap Steering Committee.
The report showcases the resilience, strengths and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations throughout critical health crises in 2020: devastating bushfires and climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and the mental health emergency facing First Australians.
Read(pdf 9.22 MB)We Nurture our Culture for our Future and Our Culture Nurtures Us
The 2020 Close the Gap Campaign report, again written by the Lowitja Institute and to be released on 19 March 2020, sets out a blueprint for change, presenting 14 recommendations for Australian governments that must be urgently implemented to avoid further preventable deaths and protect Indigenous health, wellbeing, culture and Country.
Read(pdf 29.41 MB)Failure to Close the Gap puts Indigenous Communities at Risk
The Close the Gap Campaign is cancelling its public events to mark Close the Gap Day on Thursday 19 March 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Close the Gap Campaign report will still be launched online on Close the Gap Day – this Thursday 19 March 2020.
You can show your support by signing the Close the Gap campaign pledge at https://antar.org.au/closethegappledge.
Follow #CloseTheGap, #closethegapday, #nurtureculturefuture and @closethegapOZ for more details.
You can read more about the Close the Gap Campaign on the ANTaR website at www.antar.org.au/closethegap
Read(pdf 121.86 KB)Standing Still is Intollerable: Close the Gap Campaign Media Release
Close the Gap Co-Chairs media release responding to the Prime Minister's Closing the Gap Report 2020.
“Preventable diseases continue to take young lives while unrelenting deaths in custody and
suicide rates twice that of other Australians continue to shame us all. As governments
reshape the Closing the Gap strategy, we cannot afford for the mistakes of the past to be
repeated.“Read more in the full media release
Read(pdf 183.59 KB)Petition - National Close the Gap Day 2020
Petition available to use for National Close the Gap Day 2020.
Help gather supporter for this year's call to action. Send us back as many of these filled sheets as possible to Close the Gap Campaign, PO Box 77 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
File size: Less than 1MB
Read(pdf 386.85 KB)Our Choices, Our Voices - Celebrating Success on National Close the Gap Day
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO and the Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Rod Little, will today release the 2019 Close the Gap report.
“The report highlights the incredible work being carried out by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Read More in the Close the Gap Campaign's Media Release
Read(pdf 123.9 KB)Our Choices Our Voices
A report prepared by the Lowitja Institute for the Close the Gap Steering Committee.
Following on from the 10-year review in 2018, the 2019 report identifies urgent prioritie themes of the Close the Gap Campaign such as:
• Targeted, needs-based primary health care
• Responsive health care system
• Good housing for good health.The success stories highlighted in this report demonstrate that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are involved in the design of the services they need, we are far more likely to achieve success.
Read(pdf 14.66 MB)Media release following Prime Minister Morrison's 2019 Closing the Gap Report statement
The Close the Gap Campaign media release following Prime Minister Morrison's 2019 Closing the Gap Report statement to Parliament.
"Indigenous involvement and participation in this important national strategy is vital. It really is the only way forward, because we know that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are included in the design and delivery of services that impact their lives, the outcomes are far better."
Close the Gap Campaign Co-Chairs: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO and the Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Rod Little.
Read(pdf 119.04 KB)PM's Report 2019
Annual report from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet regarding progress made towards the targets from the national Closing the Gap strategy.
Read(pdf 13.26 MB)Achieving Indigenous Health Equality through the Close the Gap Campaign
The Close the Gap Campaign has released its 2019 priorities for the next government of Australia. The proposed policy agenda will, if fully funded and implemented, provide a pathway forward for an incoming government to achieve tangible improvements in life expectancy and other key health indicators.
Read more.
Read(pdf 662.66 KB)My Life My Lead: Opportunities for strengthening approaches to the social determinants and cultural determinants of Indigenous health: Report on the national consultations 2017
My Life My Lead: Opportunities for strengthening approaches to the social determinants and cultural determinants of Indigenous health: Report on the national consultations 2017
Read(pdf 4.62 MB)Closing the Gap Statement of Intent 2008
The initial Close the Gap Indigenous Health Equality Summit Statement of Intent 2008.
Read(pdf 282.17 KB)COAG Statement on the Closing the Gap Refresh
Council of Australian Governments (COAG) statement outlining the outcomes of the most recent COAG meeting regarding the Closing the Gap Refresh process.
Read(pdf 411.73 KB)PM's Report 2018
Annual report from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet regarding progress made towards the targets from the national Closing the Gap strategy.
Read(pdf 7.79 MB)Close the Gap: A Ten-Year Review
This review assesses the most significant national effort to date to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health: the 2008 Council of Australian Governments Closing the Gap Strategy with its target to achieve life expectancy equality by 2030. Ten-years after its commencement it is time to critically analyse why Australian governments have not yet succeeded in closing the health gap.
Read(pdf 15.4 MB)PM's Report to Parliament 2017
Annual report from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet detailing progress towards the National Closing the Gap Strategy.
Read(pdf 7.17 MB)Close the Gap - Progress and Priorities Report 2017
Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee Progress and Priorities Report 2017
Read(pdf 9.06 MB)Close the Gap - Progress and Priorities Report 2016
The message from the Close the Gap Campaign is clear. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health inequality is an issue of growing national concern. We can and want to be the generation that closes the gap but we must stay the course and keep our attention and resources focused on this goal. The health gap has rightfully been described as a stain on our nation, and this generation has the opportunity and responsibility to remove it.
Read(pdf 1.15 MB)