Recommended Reading
Before you begin your assignment: Please read the following to refresh your understanding of Closing the
Gap and to learn the difference between Close the Gap and Closing the Gap.
Closing the Gap
https:
healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/health-system/closing-the-gap
For more information, read:
The History of Closing the Gap
https:
healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/health-system/closing-the-gap/history-of-closing-the-gap/
Excerpts from Closing the Gap Report 2019
There are cu
ently seven Closing the Gap targets. Two targets, early childhood education and Year 12
attainment, are on track to be met1 (p.10).
ï‚· The target to halve the gap in child mortality rates by 2018 is not on track. Since the target baseline
(2008) Indigenous child mortality rates have declined by 10 per cent (not statistically significant)
ut the gap has not na
owed as the non-Indigenous rate has declined at a faster rate.
ï‚· The target to have 95 per cent of Indigenous four year olds enrolled in early childhood education by
2025 is on track. In 2017, 95 per cent of Indigenous four year olds were enrolled in early childhood
education.
ï‚· The target to close the gap in school attendance by 2018 is not on track. Attendance rates for
Indigenous students have not improved between 2014 and 2018 (around 82 per cent in 2018) and
emain below the rate for non-Indigenous students (around 93 per cent).
 The target to close the gap in life expectancy by 2031 is not on track. Between 2010–12 and 2015–
17, Indigenous life expectancy at birth improved by 2.5 years for Indigenous males and by 1.9 years
for Indigenous females (both not statistically significant), which has led to a small reduction in the
gap.
ï‚· There is no new national data available for three targets and their status remains the same as for
the 2018 Report.2 The target to halve the gap in Year 12 attainment or equivalent by 2020 is on
1 The final data points for targets set to expire in 2018 (child mortality, school attendance, literacy and numeracy, and
employment) are not available
2 The 2018 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) data were not available in time for
inclusion in this Report.
https:
healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/health-system/closing-the-gap
https:
healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/health-system/closing-the-gap/history-of-closing-the-gap
track. The target to halve the gap in reading and numeracy by 2018 is not on track. The target to
halve the gap in employment by 2018 is not on track.
https:
ctgreport.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/ctg-report-2019.pdf?a=1
Community Priorities For The Next Ten Years
The Special Gathering Statement to COAG in Fe
uary 2018 recommended the priority areas for the next
phase of Closing the Gap:
ï‚· Families, children and youth
ï‚· Housing
ï‚· Justice, including youth justice
ï‚· Health
ï‚· Economic development
ï‚· Culture and language
ï‚· Education
ï‚· Healing
ï‚· Eliminating racism and systemic discrimination. (p.157)
https:
ctgreport.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/ctg-report-2019.pdf?a=1
Culture and Closing the Gap
A short article that reinforces the link between culture and closing the gap, which provides useful context:
http:
iaha.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/000214_cultureclosinggap.pdf
https:
ctgreport.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/ctg-report-2019.pdf?a=1
https:
ctgreport.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/ctg-report-2019.pdf?a=1
http:
iaha.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/000214_cultureclosinggap.pdf
Resource Bibliography
The following resources provide examples of case studies and additional resources.
Community Development
Case Studies
Howard-Wagner, D XXXXXXXXXXSuccessful u
an Aboriginal-driven community development: a place-based
study of Newcastle. Retrieved from https:
openresearch-
epository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/147391/1/Discussion_Paper_293_2017.pdf
Howard-Wagner, D XXXXXXXXXXSuccess in Closing the Socio-Economic Gap, But Still a Long Way to Go: U
an
Aboriginal Disadvantage, Trauma, and Racism in the Australian City of Newcastle. The International
Indigenous Policy Journal, 10(1), 3. Retrieved from
https:
ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1393&context=iipj
Additional Resources
Closing the Gap
Reports prepared for the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse. Retrieved from
https:
aifs.gov.au/publications/closing-the-gap
Altman, J., Biddle, N., & Hunter, B XXXXXXXXXXHow realistic are the prospects for 'closing the gaps' in
socioeconomic outcomes for Indigenous Australians?. Canbe
a, ACT: Centre for Aboriginal Economic
Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University. Retrieved from https:
openresearch-
epository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/147387/1/2008_DP287_0.pdf
Education
Case Studies
Centre for Education, Statistics Evaluation XXXXXXXXXXClosing the gap case studies. Retrieved from
https:
www.cese.nsw.gov.au/publications-filte
case-studies-closing-the-gap
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government XXXXXXXXXXWhat
Works. The Work Program: Improving outcomes for Indigenous students - Case Studies. Retrieved
from http:
www.whatworks.edu.au/dbAction.do?cmd=displaySitePage1&subcmd=select&id=34.
Additional Resources
Closing the Gap Clearinghouse XXXXXXXXXXPositive learning environments for Indigenous children and young
people. Retrieved from https:
www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/107b2cd9-88f7-4e8e-8ab3-
33718c966ff9/ctgc-rs33.pdf.aspx?inline=true.
Buxton, L XXXXXXXXXXDitching deficit thinking: Changing to a culture of high expectations. Issues in Educational
Research, 27(2), 198. Retrieved from http:
www.iier.org.au/iier27
uxton.pdf.
Goss, P XXXXXXXXXXClosing the gap in Indigenous literacy and numeracy? Not remotely – or in cities. The
Conversation, Fe
uary 8, 2018. Retrieved from https:
theconversation.com/closing-the-gap-in-
indigenous-literacy-and-numeracy-not-remotely-or-in-cities-88704.
https:
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/147391/1/Discussion_Paper_293_2017.pdf
https:
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/147391/1/Discussion_Paper_293_2017.pdf
https:
ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1393&context=iipj
http:
www.aihw.gov.au/closingthegap
https:
aifs.gov.au/publications/closing-the-gap
https:
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/147387/1/2008_DP287_0.pdf
https:
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/147387/1/2008_DP287_0.pdf
http:
www.whatworks.edu.au/dbAction.do?cmd=displaySitePage1&subcmd=select&id=34
https:
www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/107b2cd9-88f7-4e8e-8ab3-33718c966ff9/ctgc-rs33.pdf.aspx?inline=true
https:
www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/107b2cd9-88f7-4e8e-8ab3-33718c966ff9/ctgc-rs33.pdf.aspx?inline=true
http:
www.iier.org.au/iier27
uxton.pdf
https:
theconversation.com/closing-the-gap-in-indigenous-literacy-and-numeracy-not-remotely-or-in-cities-88704
https:
theconversation.com/closing-the-gap-in-indigenous-literacy-and-numeracy-not-remotely-or-in-cities-88704
Health
Case Studies
Victoria State Government XXXXXXXXXXClosing the Gap in Aboriginal health outcomes initiative - health.vic.
Retrieved from https:
www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7B81EBD XXXXXXXXXX-
8A2C-DA6C4E6B85A7%7D
NSW Department of Health XXXXXXXXXXClosing the gap: 10 Years of Housing for Health in NSW An evaluation
of a healthy housing intervention. Retrieved from
https:
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/Publications/housing-health.pdf
Additional Resources
Green, D., & Minchin, L XXXXXXXXXXLiving on climate-changed country: Indigenous health, well-being and
climate change in remote Australian communities. EcoHealth, 11(2), XXXXXXXXXXRetrieved from
https:
search-proquest-
com.ezproxy.une.edu.au/docview/ XXXXXXXXXX?OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:primo&accountid=17227.
Fogarty, W., Bulloch, H., McDonnell, S., & Davis, M XXXXXXXXXXDeficit Discourse and Indigenous Health: How
Na
ative Framings of Aboriginal and To
es Strait Islander People Are Reproduced in Policy. Deficit
Discourse and Indigenous Health: How Na
ative Framings of Aboriginal and To
es Strait Islander
People Are Reproduced in Policy, xii. Retrieved from https:
apo.org.au/system/files/172646/apo-
nid XXXXXXXXXXpdf.
Fogarty, W., Lovell, M., Langenberg, J., & Heron, M. J XXXXXXXXXXDeficit discourse and strengths-based
approaches: changing the na
ative of Aboriginal and To
es Strait islander health and
wellbeing. Deficit Discourse and Strengths-based Approaches: Changing the Na
ative of Aboriginal
and To
es Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, viii. Retrieved from
https:
apo.org.au/sites/default/files
esource-files/2018/05/apo-nid XXXXXXXXXXpdf.
Imprisonment and Youth Justice
Case Studies
Ciftci, S., & Howard-Wagner, D XXXXXXXXXXIntegrating indigenous justice into alternative dispute resolution
practices: A case study of the Aboriginal care circle pilot program in Nowra. Australian Indigenous
Law Review, 16(2), XXXXXXXXXXRetrieved from
http:
classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUIndigLawRw/2012/14.pdf.
Putt, J., & Yamaguchi, J XXXXXXXXXXThe Implementation of Indigenous Crime and Justice Policies and Programs
in Australia: Issues and Challenge. Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse. Retrieved from
https:
www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/mp/files/publications/files
18-
implementation-of-policies-in-australia-putt-yamaguchi-2015-ijc-webv2.v1.pdf.
Additional Resources
The Law Society of New South Wales XXXXXXXXXXFailure to include Closing the Gap justice targets means
Indigenous families remain at risk, 12 Fe
uary 2018. Retrieved from
https:
www.lawsociety.com.au/advocacyandresources/news-and-media/closing-the-gap.
Commonwealth of Australia XXXXXXXXXXAboriginal and To
es Strait Islander experience of law enforcement
and justice services. Retrieved from
https:
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Finance_and_Public_Adminis
tration/Legalassistanceservices/Report.
https:
www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7B81EBD XXXXXXXXXX8A2C-DA6C4E6B85A7%7D
https:
www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7B81EBD XXXXXXXXXX8A2C-DA6C4E6B85A7%7D
https:
www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7B81EBD XXXXXXXXXX8A2C-DA6C4E6B85A7%7D
https:
www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7B81EBD XXXXXXXXXX8A2C-DA6C4E6B85A7%7D
https:
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/Publications/housing-health.pdf
https:
search-proquest-com.ezproxy.une.edu.au/docview/ XXXXXXXXXX?OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:primo&accountid=17227
https:
search-proquest-com.ezproxy.une.edu.au/docview/ XXXXXXXXXX?OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:primo&accountid=17227
https:
apo.org.au/system/files/172646/apo-nid XXXXXXXXXXpdf
https:
apo.org.au/system/files/172646/apo-nid XXXXXXXXXXpdf
https:
apo.org.au/sites/default/files
esource-files/2018/05/apo-nid XXXXXXXXXXpdf
http:
classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUIndigLawRw/2012/14.pdf
https:
www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/mp/files/publications/files
18-implementation-of-policies-in-australia-putt-yamaguchi-2015-ijc-webv2.v1.pdf
https:
www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/mp/files/publications/files
18-implementation-of-policies-in-australia-putt-yamaguchi-2015-ijc-webv2.v1.pdf
https:
www.lawsociety.com.au/advocacyandresources/news-and-media/closing-the-gap
https:
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Finance_and_Public_Administration/Legalassistanceservices/Report
https:
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Finance_and_Public_Administration/Legalassistanceservices/Report
Schwartz, M XXXXXXXXXXBuilding communities, not prisons: Justice reinvestment and indigenous over-
imprisonment. Australian Indigenous law review, 14(1), 2-17. Retrieved from
https:
www.researchgate.net/profile/Melanie_Schwartz2/publication/256028081_Building_Commu
nities_Not_Prisons_Justice_Reinvestment_and_Indigenous_Over-
Representation/links/568c3ed408ae197e4268aab1/Building-Communities-Not-Prisons-Justice-
Reinvestment-and-Indigenous-Over-Representation.pdf.
Employment
Case Studies
Brueckner, M., Spencer, R., Wise, G., & Marika, B XXXXXXXXXXIndigenous entrepreneurship: Closing the gap on
local terms. Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, 17(2), 2-24. Retrieved from
http:
esearchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/32756/1/indigenous%20entrepreneurship.pdf.
Ingamells, A XXXXXXXXXXClosing the Gap: some unsettling assumptions-A remote region case study. Journal of
Social Inclusion, 1(1), 7-22. Retrieved from
https:
josi.journals.griffith.edu.au/index.php/inclusion/article/viewFile/107/84
Additional Resource
Easton, S XXXXXXXXXXTargets work for Indigenous procurement, but Closing the Gap is a whole other ballgame
The Mandarin 15/02/2019. Retrieved from https:
www.themandarin.com.au/104114-targets-work-
for-indigenous-procurement-but-closing-the-gap-is-a-whole-other-ballgame/.
Gray, M., Hunter, B., & Biddle, N XXXXXXXXXXThe economic and social benefits of increasing Indigenous
employment. Canbe
a, ACT: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian
National University. Retrieved from https:
openresearch-
epository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/114086/1/Topical_Issue_1-2014.pdf.
Hunter, B., & Yap, M XXXXXXXXXXIncome, work and education: insights for closing the gap in U
an Australia.
Canbe
a, ACT: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National
University. Retrieved from https:
openresearch-
epository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/147841/1/WP92_Hunter_Yap_Insights_0.pdf.
https:
www.researchgate.net/profile/Melanie_Schwartz2/publication/256028081_Building_Communities_Not_Prisons_Justice_Reinvestment_and_Indigenous_Over-Representation/links/568c3ed408ae197e4268aab1/Building-Communities-Not-Prisons-Justice-Reinvestment-and-Indigenous-Over-Representation.pdf
https:
www.researchgate.net/profile/Melanie_Schwartz2/publication/256028081_Building_Communities_Not_Prisons_Justice_Reinvestment_and_Indigenous_Over-Representation/links/568c3ed408ae197e4268aab1/Building-Communities-Not-Prisons-Justice-Reinvestment-and-Indigenous-Over-Representation.pdf
https:
www.researchgate.net/profile/Melanie_Schwartz2/publication/256028081_Building_Communities_Not_Prisons_Justice_Reinvestment_and_Indigenous_Over-Representation/links/568c3ed408ae197e4268aab1/Building-Communities-Not-Prisons-Justice-Reinvestment-and-Indigenous-Over-Representation.pdf
https:
www.researchgate.net/profile/Melanie_Schwartz2/publication/256028081_Building_Communities_Not_Prisons_Justice_Reinvestment_and_Indigenous_Over-Representation/links/568c3ed408ae197e4268aab1/Building-Communities-Not-Prisons-Justice-Reinvestment-and-Indigenous-Over-Representation.pdf
http:
esearchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/32756/1/indigenous%20entrepreneurship.pdf
https:
josi.journals.griffith.edu.au/index.php/inclusion/article/viewFile/107/84
https:
www.themandarin.com.au/104114-targets-work-for-indigenous-procurement-but-closing-the-gap-is-a-whole-other-ballgame
https:
www.themandarin.com.au/104114-targets-work-for-indigenous-procurement-but-closing-the-gap-is-a-whole-other-ballgame
https:
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/114086/1/Topical_Issue_1-2014.pdf
https:
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/114086/1/Topical_Issue_1-2014.pdf
https:
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/147841/1/WP92_Hunter_Yap_Insights_0.pdf
https:
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au
itstream/1885/147841/1/WP92_Hunter_Yap_Insights_0.pdf