The Australian Government has released the new Closing the Gap Implementation Plan for 2023.

In light of the slow pace at which the gap has been closing, the government says new measures are needed to include formal partnerships between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations on policies and programs that have a significant impact on them.

The 2023 plan is about practical action. $424 million in additional funding has been announced to be allocated across different measures such as supporting First Nations’ water infrastructure and providing safe and reliable water for remote and regional Indigenous communities, accelerating the building of new remote housing, making essential food more affordable and accessible in remote communities, supporting women and children experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence, implementing programs aimed at early intervention and recovery, and keeping families together, and boosting On-Country Education for remote First Nations students.

These measures will be designed and delivered through a formal partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities and where support for First Nations organisations to deliver the services will be prioritised.

The plan also specifies each party’s responsibility in the next steps toward Closing the Gap.

The Commonwealth’s Implementation Plan is available on the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s website.

According to Minister Burney: “A lot of the foundational work has been done over the last two years and now we can really turn our efforts towards real action and real change."

Source: Australian Government | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ‘Next steps towards closing the GAP’ media release.