In an ambitious speech at the Garma Festival, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to deliver Australia’s first comprehensive economic policy for Indigenous Australians, which emphasised the need for renewed efforts following the defeat of the Voice to Parliament referendum.
But despite the lack of progress since taking charge as PM, Albanese assured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders of his government’s commitment to closing the disadvantage gap.
However, the recent Productivity Commission report casts doubt on the efficacy of such promises because the report reveals that only five of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track, with several critical areas showing no progress or worsening outcomes.
Thus, this juxtaposition between political rhetoric and measurable progress raises significant questions about the current government’s approach and its ability to enact meaningful change.
Albanese Promises Amidst Challenges
Addressing attendees at the Garma Festival, Albanese reiterated his vision for a reconciled Australia and introduced Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, the new Indigenous Australians Minister, highlighting her dedication to translating words into action.
“You have kept the faith, and my government will keep faith with you” Albanese declared, citing the need for a fresh approach to economic policy for Indigenous communities, which includes boosting Indigenous job creation and home ownership through enhanced private sector investment and direct community engagement.
Yet, these promises come at a time when tangible progress remains elusive.
And the Productivity Commission’s July 2024 report underscores the persistent challenges faced by Indigenous Australians, particularly in health, well-being and justice.
In summary, the report reveals that only five targets are on track: healthy birth weights, preschool attendance, Indigenous employment, land rights and sea rights. Conversely, areas such as life expectancy, childhood development, suicide rates and incarceration rates show little to no progress or have worsened.
For instance, the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians remains significant and the target to close this gap by 2031 is not on track. Similarly, the rate of Indigenous children in out-of-home care is increasing, highlighting systemic issues in family and kinship support.
In addition, the Productivity Commission calls for governments to act on the data, emphasising the importance of the Priority Reforms within the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which includes sharing power with Indigenous communities, recognising Indigenous Data Sovereignty, rethinking mainstream systems and ensuring stronger accountability.
But despite the government’s commitments, the report notes that implementation has been inconsistent, with progress often resembling tweaks to existing systems rather than transformational change. Therefore, the need for a Bureau of Indigenous Data, as recommended by the Commission, remains unaddressed, hindering the potential for more effective policy-making.
The Path Forward
Albanese’s speech at Garma is a reminder of the government’s awareness of Indigenous issues but it also highlights the gap between political promises and practical outcomes.
And the recent data serves as a stark reminder that while promises are made, the lived experiences of many Indigenous Australians remain fraught with disadvantage.
So to bridge this gap, sustained and concerted efforts are required… and this includes genuine power-sharing, targeted investment in culturally appropriate services and robust mechanisms for accountability.
Because without these, the promises made at Garma risk becoming another chapter in a long history of unmet commitments.
Thus, as the government touts its new economic plan… it must reconcile its ambitious promises with the sobering realities outlined in the Productivity Commission’s report because only through transparent, accountable,= and inclusive governance can Australia hope to close the gap for its Indigenous population truly.
