Closing the Gap meeting targets key concerns
The 15th meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Tasmania on Friday saw members acknowledge the historic development in Victoria, with the Statewide Treaty Bill, was the main topic of conversation centred on Targets 11 and 12 that relate to out of home care and incarceration.
Target 12 calls for the reduction of the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Stratis Islander children in out-of-home care by 45 per cent by 2031.
Target 11 wants to see a reduction in the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (10-17 years) in detention by at least 30 per cent by 2031.
The Coalition of Peaks noted that achieving Target 11 requires reorienting the justice system towards prevention and early intervention supported by legislative reforms.
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek outlined opportunities to improve implementation of Target 12 with members agreeing the partnerships will drive action on existing commitments.
The council received updates from the Housing and Languages Policy Partnerships and members noted a progress update on the implementation of the 2024 Productivity Commission Review Essential Actions.
Joint Council acknowledged the historic development in Victoria, with the Statewide Treaty Bill passing the parliament, the state becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to legislate treaty with First Peoples.
Minister for Indigenous AustraliansSenator Malarndirri McCarthy departed the meeting early to return to the Northern Territory ahead of the crossing of Tropical Cyclone Fina, with South Australian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs taking over as the government Co-Chair.
