Gippsland › Latest news › Russell Broadbent MP

Russell Broadbent calls for urgent action on closing the gap amid disturbing productivity commission report

Russell Broadbent highlights concerns on Closing the Gap Day, citing the Productivity Commission's report showing only four of 19 targets on track. He urges bipartisan action to address Indigenous health, education, and wellbeing.

By news@gippsland - 20th March 2025 - Back to News

Today, March 20, is Closing the Gap Day. It's been some 20 years since the Social Justice Report in 2005 was released, which prompted grassroots campaigns to bring about health equality for Indigenous Australians.

Closing the Gap isn't political it prioritises health, education, employment, and wellbeing for all Australians, especially Indigenous communities regardless of who's in power

Closing the gap

Yes, some progress has been made in the years that followed. But how much has really changed since 2005? The latest report released by the Productivity Commission is a disturbing read - just four of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track.

Indigenous incarceration rates are on the rise - alongside rates of suicide and indigenous children living in out of home care. Closing the Gap is often framed as a political issue - but it isn't. It's a humanitarian one.

Focussing on the health, education, employment, and social wellbeing of ALL Australians, especially Indigenous Australians who have been historically marginalised and neglected, should be a priority regardless of who's in power.

Pictures from Russell Broadbent MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com