Australian Government Spends $424 Million to ‘Close the Gap’ between Society and Indigenous Community

Minister for Indigenous Australian Linda Burney makes a statement at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 13, 2023. Martin Ollman/Getty Images

The Australian government has announced a $424 million (US$293 million) plan to improve the well-being of Indigenous people with a focus on clean drinking water and support for domestic violence survivors.

The announcement coincides with the 15^th anniversary of the former Kevin Rudd government’s formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous people over the Stolen Generation–those who were forcibly taken from their families and community between 1910 and 1970 due to government policy.

The new funding is not included in the $1.2 billion investment for the Indigenous community previously announced in October 2022 budget.

Under the new 2023 Closing the Gap implementation plan, the federal government will invest $150 million to provide safe drinking water for remote Indigenous communities over four years.

“I think it would be a shock to many people that there are many communities–remote Aboriginal communities in Australia–that do not have clean drinking water and cannot have dialysis because the water is not clean enough for the dialysis machines, despite the fact that renal failure is such an issue in our communities,” Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Another $112 million will be spent on new remote housing in a one-year partnership with the Northern Territory government.

Members of the Mutitjulu Aboriginal community walk through the grounds in Mutitjulu, near Alice Springs, Australia, on July 6, 2007. Ian Waldie/Getty Images

In addition, the federal government will grant $68.6 million to family violence and prevention legal service providers that support women and children, while another $22 million will go to programs tackling domestic violence.

The plan also includes $38.4 million for the on-country education program for remote students over four years and $11.8 million for making nutritious food more accessible in Indigenous communities over two years.

“Our measures are going to be more specific and more targeted, making real impacts that complement work underway in states and territories, and back-in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to lead work in their communities,” Burney said.

Meanwhile, Indigenous Australians assistant minister Malarndirri McCarthy praised the package, saying it would be a “game changer” for many remote communities.

Government Admitted Failing to “Close the Gap”

The new funding package comes as Burney admitted the government was unable to keep promises regarding improving life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as shown in the 2022 Closing the Gap report.

It was the first report since state and federal governments entered into a national agreement on Closing the Gap with the Indigenous community in 2021.

The report showed that only four of the 18 socio-economic targets were on track and that more work needed to be done to address the issues facing the Indigenous community.

“I think governments have tried, but there is an enormous failure in meeting all the closing the gap targets,” Burney said.

The Voice and Closing the Gap

Apart from clarifying details of the new funding package, the Indigenous Australians minister said that a voice to the parliament was “fundamental” in helping the Indigenous community solve their problems.

“It’s going to mean there will be Aboriginal voices advising the parliament on what we need to do to do things like close the gap,” Burney said.

“This is going to be a monumental opportunity for all Australians to have a say in meeting the aspirations of Aboriginal people and closing those gaps.”

Protesters make their way towards Victoria Park during a protest in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 26, 2023. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The Voice is an initiative by the Labor government to change how Indigenous policy is designed and functions by creating an advisory body that provides advice to parliament and the government on issues that have an impact on the Indigenous community.

The government is expected to roll out a referendum in the second half of 2023, where Australians will decide whether a voice to the parliament is necessary.

Labor Senator Pat Dodson believed that Australian people would support the referendum and that it could pass even with objection from the Opposition.

“I put my trust in the Australian people,” he said.

“The Australian people have been hearing for so long now that call by First Nations people with a very simple proposition that they want to be recognised in the constitution.”

Meanwhile, Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has launched a $1.45 million campaign that says no to the referendum on Feb. 13.

“The Voice will drive a wedge between Indigenous peoples and divide Aussies by race,” her campaign website said.

“It’s divisive, it’s dangerous, it’s expensive, and it’s not fair.”