ANTaR Close the Gap
Our Choices Our Voices
A report prepared by the Lowitja Institute for the Close the Gap Steering Committee.
It is of great concern to us, the Close the Gap Campaign—as indeed it should be to the Australian nation—that the target to close the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people by 2031 is, in 2019, widening rather than closing.1 In his Closing the Gap Report 2019 to Parliament, the Prime Minister acknowledged that this target is not on track.
In the past, we have provided a ‘Shadow Report’ including a ten-year review published in 2018. The review assessed the most signi cant national e ort to date to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health—the 2008 Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) Closing the Gap Strategy—with its target to achieve life expectancy equality by 2030.
In 2019, the Campaign is taking a di erent approach to its report. After identifying what we believe are urgent priority themes for addressing the health gap, this year we are highlighting stories that illustrate success from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. The report addresses the following three priority themes:
• Targeted, needs-based primary health care
• Responsive health care system
• Good housing for good health.The stories pro led 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. These stories illustrate that ‘our choice and our voice’ are vital if we are to make gains and start to close the gap.
The Campaign welcomes the announcement in December 2018 that governments will work in true partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and their appropriate organisations and representatives. This is a critical time for the government to work hand-in-hand with us on solutions, to ensure we turn this gap around and do not allow it to widen any further.
Finally, as Co-Chairs, we sincerely thank the almost 50 Close the Gap Campaign members for their contribution to this work. We could not do what we do without the enduring support and commitment to better health outcomes from our membership.
Read(pdf 14.66 MB)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)2019 NSW State Election Scorecard
Read(pdf 292.79 KB)Election Scorecard response from The Greens
Read(pdf 149.16 KB)Election Scorecard response from Labor
Read(pdf 2.9 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)Petition - National Close the Gap Day 2019
Petition available to use for National Close the Gap Day 2019.
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)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)