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In February, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered the latest Closing the Gap report on the 18th anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement) was developed in genuine partnership between Australian Governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations (represented by the Coalition of Peaks). It sets out Closing the Gap Priority Reforms and ambitious targets that are changing the way governments work to improve life outcomes experienced by Indigenous Australians.
The National Indigenous Times reports that only four of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track and four are moving backwards, with just five years remaining under the current agreement.
The Albanese Government says it is continuing to deliver on its Closing the Gap commitments by working with First Nations partners, represented by the Coalition of Peaks, to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Highlighting the delivery of record funding in health, education and housing, Prime Minister Albanese says the task before his government is to “… build a future in which all Australians have access to the same opportunities.”
“Closing the Gap only works when governments listen to First Nations people and invest in community-led, practical solutions,” the Prime Minister said.
The Federal Opposition's Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Kerryne Liddle met with Stolen Generations Survivors as they visited Parliament to mark the 18th anniversary of the National Apology. "The National Apology was a defining moment in our nation’s history, and our responsibility to listen, learn and deliver practical outcomes continues," the Liberal Senator said.
"The Closing the Gap Report is also an opportunity for the Government and the Coalition to acknowledge the strength, resilience and courage of the Stolen Generation and to reflect on the work still to be done."
Read the Commonwealth Closing the Gap 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan here.
"RDN Health supports the objective of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to overcome inequality and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians," said Health Access Outreach Services Manager Amanda Masset of RDN Health.
"This commitment is reflected in in RDN Health's outreach activity, with 65% of patient consultations in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory provided to Aboriginal patients.
"Following the release of the latest Close the Gap Report, we rededicate ourselves to working in partnership with communities and government to increase access to medical, allied health and nursing services for First Nations communities, and ultimately - to closing the gaps that still exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians," she said.