Key references

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Bibliography

References for the key publications about Closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians are listed here.

2013

Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2013)

Closing the gap: Prime Minister’s report 2013.

Canberra: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

This is the fifth annual report outlining progress made towards meeting the targets set for Closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage in the seven key building blocks:

early childhood
schooling
health
healthy homes
safe communities
economic participation
governance and leadership.

The report includes new data from the 2011 Census and provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of progress against the targets.

The report highlights 2013 as the year the first target - ensuring all Indigenous four-year olds living in remote communities have access to early childhood education within five years - falls due and claims this target will be met.

The Australian Government's agenda for Closing the gap is driven by the need to:

overcome decades of under-investment in services and infrastructure
encourage and support personal responsibility for healthy functional families and communities
build new understanding and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The report states that continued and sustained effort is needed to close the gap, but that the expected achievement of the early childhood education target in 2013 will support a commitment to ensuring that benefits flow through to the other Closing the gap targets to further address Indigenous disadvantage.

As with previous reports, it is acknowledged that the approach to Closing the Gap is a partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, the private sector and non-government organisations.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

2012

Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2012)

Closing the gap: Prime Minister’s report 2012.

Canberra: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

This annual report outlines the progress being made towards meeting the targets set for Closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage in the seven key building blocks:

early childhood
schooling
health
healthy homes
safe communities
economic participation
governance and leadership.

The report highlights the significant improvements in the area of child mortality even though the gap still remains large.

The Australian Government's agenda for Closing the gap is driven by the need to:

overcome decades of under-investment in services and infrastructure
encourage and support personal responsibility for healthy functional families and communities
build new understanding and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The report states that even though improvements have been made, achieving solid results in the areas identified by the building blocks will take ongoing investment and time.

As with previous reports it is acknowledged that a partnership approach with Indigenous individuals and communities, corporate and community sectors is necessary to help close the gap.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

2011

Al-Yaman F, Higgins D (2011)

What works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage: key learnings and gaps in the evidence: 2009-2010.

Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian Institute of Family Studies

Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2011)

Closing the gap in the Northern Territory monitoring report : January to June 2011.

Canberra: Australian Government

Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2011)

Closing the gap in the Northern Territory monitoring report : July to December 2010.

Canberra: Australian Government

This report provides data and analysis of the Closing the gap in the Northern Territory (previously the Northern Territory emergency response [NTER]) for the period July to December 2010. Part one of the report includes: background information on the NTER and the Closing the gap in the Northern Territory national partnership agreement; an overview of the NTER redesign process; an outline of the evaluation and monitoring of the NTER; an outline of the NTER measures; and key points from the whole of government report.

Part two of the report assesses what achievements and progress have been made towards the targets and milestones set out for the NTER during the time period.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2011)

Closing the gap: Prime Minister’s report 2011.

Canberra: Department of Families, Housing, community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Australia

The 3rd annual report outlines the progress that has been made towards meeting the targets set to close the gap in life expectancy, early childhood, health, education and employment between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The most positive change has been in the area of child mortality where the gap has significantly narrowed in recent years.

The report provides information on the seven key building blocks identified by the Government as addressing specific areas of Indigenous disadvantage, including:

early childhood building block
schooling building block
health building block
healthy homes building block
safe communities building block
economic participation building block
governance and leadership building block.

The Government has committed to investing $5.75 billion over three years to make long-term improvements in each of these building block areas. The report acknowledges the interrelated nature of the Closing the gap targets, and outlines how each of the seven key building blocks works individually and together to make progress towards the targets.

The report also acknowledges how progress can only be made through a partnership approach with Indigenous individuals and communities, and the large role that the corporate and community sectors have to play in closing the gap. The National Congress of Australia's First Peoples and constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australian's are cited as key instances of how this partnership approach has been implemented.

The report recognises that previous methods of data collection were inadequate to measure progress made; to improve the evidence base the Government has committed $46.4 million over four years from 2009-10. Finally the report concludes that there is still much work to be done to address Indigenous disadvantage, but hopefully through following the targets set closing the gap will be a realisable achievement within the next generation.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

2010

Close the Gap Steering Committee for Indigenous Health Equality (2010)

Shadow report on the Australian Government’s progress towards closing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Canberra: Australian Human Rights Commission

Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2010)

Closing the gap: Prime Minister's report 2010.

Canberra: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

2009

Access Economics (2009)

Economic impact of closing the Indigenous gap in remote and very remote Australia.

Alice Springs: Cooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation

Council of Australian Governments (2009)

National Indigenous reform agreement (closing the gap).

Canberra: Council of Australian Governments

Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2009)

Closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage: the challenge for Australia.

Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia

This report outlines the Commonwealth Government's progress in 'Closing the Gap' and addressing Indigenous disadvantage. Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, promised during his apology to Indigenous Australians in 2008, to deliver a report card each year on the Government's efforts to close the gap. In this first year, measurable targets have been stated, efforts have been made to reset relationships with Indigenous people and initiatives to improve service delivery have been suggested. The main components of 'Closing the Gap' policy include the all-of -government approach and a commitment of the broader community and corporate sector.

The evidence gathered shows the extent of some aspects of Indigenous disadvantage in health, education and employment. The report sets out priorities for the future to achieve lasting change and ensure that future generations of Indigenous Australians have all the opportunities enjoyed by other Australians to live full, healthy lives and achieve their potential.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

2008

Access Economics (2008)

An overview of the economic impact of Indigenous disadvantage.

Canberra: Reconciliation Australia

Altman JC, Biddle N, Hunter BH (2008)

How realistic are the prospects for ‘closing the gaps’ in socioeconomic outcomes for Indigenous Australians?.

Canberra: Australian National University

Calma T (2008)

Essentials for social justice: close the gap.

Paper presented at the Collaborative Indigenous Policy Development Conference. 11 June 2008, Brisbane

Dick D, Holland C, Harrison B (2008)

Closing the gap: national Indigenous health equality targets: outcomes from the National Indigenous Health Equality Summit.

Canberra: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

2007

Oxfam Australia (2007)

Close the gap: solutions to the Indigenous health crisis facing Australia.

Fitzroy, Vic.: Oxfam Australia

This report analyses national information published by the National Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation, that highlights the ongoing legacy of colonisation for Aboriginal peoples of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America (USA). It reports on the disparities that exist for life expectancy in these four countries between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Links
View website: Oxfam Australia