The Albanese Labor Government has released its second Closing the Gap Implementation Plan.
“We saw the outcomes in the 2022 Closing the Gap Annual Report and know that we need to be doing more as a Government.This additional funding is a concrete commitment from the Albanese Government to prioritise Closing the Gap and see sustained progress over the life of the National Agreement.
- The Australian Government’s Implementation Plan invests $424 million in additional funding to Closing the Gap. New measures in the 2023 Implementation Plan include:
- 1. $150 million over four years to support First Nations water infrastructure and provide safe and reliable water for remote and regional Indigenous communities through the National Water Grid Fund. This will be targeted at communities that currently do not have access to clean drinking water.
- 2. $111.7 million Commonwealth contribution to a new one-year partnership with the Northern Territory Government to accelerate building of new remote housing, targeted at addressing the worst over-crowding.
- 3. $11.8 million over two years for the National Strategy for food security in remote First Nations communities. This is about making essential food more affordable and accessible in remote communities.
- 4. Continued funding of $68.6 million over two years for Family Violence and Prevention Legal Services providers to deliver legal and non-legal support to women and children experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence.
- 5. $21.9 million over five years to Support Families impacted by family violence and at risk of engaging in the child protection system, through delivery of seven place-based, trauma-aware and culturally responsive healing programs aimed at early intervention and recovery, and keeping families together.
- 6. $38.4 million over four years to boost On Country Education for remote First nations students.This includes greater access to junior rangers and more choice for families of culturally appropriate distance learning.
- 7. $21.6 million to support quality boarding for rural and remote students for an additional year.
It is almost impossible for some people to imagine what it is like to live your whole life in a place where the water is not safe… where dialysis machines can’t work because the water isn’t clean enough !
Indigenous Australians Assistant Minister Malarnderri McCarthy shares her thoughts….
“This implementation plan is the first under Labor and will help turn the tide towards more Indigenous Australians living longer, healthier and happier lives.The substantial investment in clean drinking water, remote housing and food security will be a game-changer for so many Indigenous Australians who live out in bush communities.Together, this comprehensive support will help build stronger families and communities today, and ensure future generations can get the best start to life and achieve their full potential.Indigenous Australians know the challenges and opportunities facing them more than anyone else and it is so important that decision-making and ownership is taken over the policies affecting their communities.” Assistant Minister Malarnderri McCarthy.