Michelle Grattan writes in The Conversation (14.2.17) about this year’s release of the Closing the Gap report, which indicates that Australia is still falling short in meeting targets for overcoming Indigenous disadvantage.
‘Australia is falling short in its progress towards almost all its targets for overcoming Indigenous disadvantage, the 2017 Closing the Gap report released by Malcolm Turnbull shows.
‘“Successes are being achieved, however progress overall nationally is too slow,” the report says.
‘It presents a mixed picture. While there are some more encouraging longer term trends, the only target that is “on track” to be achieved is the improvement in Indigenous attainment of Year 12 education.
‘Speaking to the House of Representatives, Turnbull said there must be a rigorous evaluation of programs to determine what was working and what wasn’t.’
- The gap of Indigenous disadvantage is being closed too slowly: report »
- Closing the gap: Prime Minister’s report 2017 »
- Closing the Gap is failing and needs a radical overhaul »
- Closing the gap: Australia is failing on Indigenous disadvantage goals »
- Shocking Close the Gap report shows need for new relationship between black and white Australians »
- Radical rethink of Closing the Gap required, despite some progress »
Indigenous incarceration: turning the tide on colonisation’s cruel third act
Calla Wahlquist reports in The Guardian (20.2.17) on the problem of overly high Indigenous incarceration rates, one of the persistent issues highlighted in the latest Closing the Gap report.
‘The grim statistics are read out in the Australian parliament every February.
‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 14 times more likely to be in custody than non-Indigenous people. A teenage boy who identifies as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander is more likely to go to jail than go to university and, because of the high incarceration rate, is more likely to die in custody than any non-Indigenous person they pass on the street.
‘It’s colonisation’s cruel third act; both a product and cause of ongoing intergenerational disadvantage. And it starts in childhood.’
- Indigenous incarceration: turning the tide on colonisation’s cruel third act »
- Yes, we jail too many Indigenous Australians – but what happens next is worse »
- Rudd warns against a ‘second Stolen Generation’ by default »
- Aboriginal custody inquiry means little without action »
- If you want progress on Indigenous issues, stop the paternal control and work with us »
- Half of Indigenous women who died in custody did not receive appropriate medical care »