Each week, PeakCare publishes a ‘Thumbs Up’ and/or a ‘Thumbs Down’ about matters that have come to our attention and draw either our commendation or condemnation. If there are matters that you think are worthy of one or other of these acknowledgements, email lwegener@peakcare.org.au and we will consider publishing them.
Thumbs Down to the findings of the 12th Closing the Gap report released yesterday, showing the majority of government targets for achieving equitable health, educational and employment outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians – five out of seven – are not on track to parity. Troublingly, the child mortality gap continues to widen since the targets were developed in 2008.
Thumbs Up to the targets on track in the report – early education and Year 12 attainment see gains towards parity – and to local programs improving outcomes over the lifecourse, such as the Literacy for Life program in Sydney’s southwest. Thumbs Up as well to the federal government’s recognition that partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations is key, encapsulated in the Closing the Gap National Agreement to be released shortly, highlighting an increase in local initiatives.