The update by the Productivity Commission on key closing the gap targets shows a worrying trend. The data says that the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians imprisoned, taking their own life and losing children to out-of-home care have all increased in the first Closing the Gap report since the voice referendum was defeated.
The National Health Leadership Forum endorsed all of the recommendations in the Productivity Commission's final report on its Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (released January 2024). This Report highlighted the ongoing failure of governments and their bureaucracy to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
"The vision and outcomes sought within health and the other social determinants under the proposed National Agreement to Closing the Gap is possible. The continuation of a 'do as I say' approach, and not accepting that current business practices by government and their public services needs to change is hurting us" said Karl Briscoe, Chair of the NHLF. "The Productivity Commission Report and the recent data demonstrates the public sectors' inability to think and act differently."
Partnership and shared decision-making arrangements were central to the development of the National Agreement and are intrinsic to the outcomes being sought under each Priority Reform Area. The failures and the continuing health gaps are largely due to government decision-makers not accepting that they do not know what is best for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. "It is time for all Governments to step back and let Aboriginal peoples to decide how to solve the problems and to deliver the solutions and for governments to support us in this work" said Karl Briscoe, Chair of the NHLF and CEO of NAATSIHWP.
The 2021-2031 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan is about a new way of doing business by governments. The Health Plan is a key milestone in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy focus with its focus on culture, and the relationship between culture and good health and well-being. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap goes further and highlights a new way of doing business across all areas of government and to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and our ways of doing business.
"The Productivity Commission's Report validates strengths-based approaches and by accepting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations as part of the process we can finally start to close the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples", Mr Briscoe said.
The NHLF calls for governments agencies to respect self-determination, culture, and to partner with Indigenous-led organisations to improve life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The way to change the data is to change the way we do policy in practice to ensure the National Agreement on Closing the Gap can be achieved.
NHLF Chair: Karl Briscoe - Chief Executive Officer - NAATSIHWP
Key Facts:
The focus on targets and outcomes detracts from what actually needs to be done and the services required.
What policymakers and communities really need to know is whether there is adequate and appropriate access to dedicated services run by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
There is clear evidence that tailored, and community-led services or solutions provides better outcomes.
The community-led Close the Gap Campaign annual reports showcase successful self-determination and community-led services, programs and initiatives that improve life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
About us:
The NHLF purpose is to drive systemic and structural transformation of mainstream government systems. Our membership encompasses expertise across policy, service delivery, workforce, research, healing, mental health, aged care and disability, and cultural, social and emotional wellbeing.
