standing in front of my face-to-face Introduction to Psychology class on a sunny Monday afternoon in spring 2024 I was watching as a few of my students took notes while the remaining students sat passively perhaps hoping my animated gestures and pacing would somehow osmotically transfer my explanation of classical conditioning into their brains students worked through carefully crafted modules at their own pace their participation in discussion boards ebbing and flowing unpredictably That’s when it hit me—despite years of teaching experience I’m still searching for ways to spark the same level of engagement whether I’m interacting with students face-to-face or through carefully designed asynchronous activities These parallel yet distinct teaching environments demand intentional strategies that can adapt while maintaining their power to actively engage students in the learning process.  Traditional active learning techniques that work beautifully in my face-to-face classes often fall flat in the asynchronous online environment Take the classic “turn to your neighbor and discuss” prompt that energizes my traditional classes—there’s no direct equivalent when students are logging in at different times throughout the week Yet simply abandoning these proven engagement strategies isn’t the answer we need to reimagine active learning for both spaces maintaining the core principles while adapting the execution The key is finding techniques that preserve what makes active learning so powerful—student engagement and immediate application of concepts—while acknowledging the unique constraints and opportunities of each learning environment.  One of the most powerful techniques in my traditional classroom is the think-pair-share discussion format Students have those precious moments to gather their thoughts before turning to a classmate to discuss concepts like confirmation bias or the impact of classical conditioning on everyday behavior The students are energized as pairs merge into small groups building on each other’s insights before sharing with the whole class But how do we capture that same collaborative energy in an asynchronous environment?  I’ve found success by structuring online discussions in three distinct phases that mirror the in-person experience students post their initial response to a thought-provoking prompt (the “think” phase) they must meaningfully respond to two classmates’ posts building on their ideas rather than simply agreeing (the “pair” phase) students return to their original post and reflect on how their understanding has evolved after engaging with their peers’ perspectives (the “share” phase) The key is crafting prompts that demand critical thinking—instead of asking “What is classical conditioning?” I might ask “How would you use classical conditioning principles to help someone overcome their fear of public speaking?”  I allow two to three minutes for individual reflection I’ve found success with a similar proportional structure: two days for initial posts This creates a rhythm that keeps the discussion moving while accommodating varied schedules.  Interactive content creation transforms how students engage with course material in both environments I divide students into small groups to create concept maps exploring the relationships between different psychological disorders they work collaboratively to connect concepts like anxiety discovering links they might have missed studying alone The energy is palpable as groups share their maps debating connections and building on each other’s insights.  I’ve adapted this activity using collaborative digital tools Students work in small groups throughout the week to build their concept maps using shared online workspaces Each student must add at least three concepts and make meaningful connections to their groupmates’ contributions The asynchronous format actually offers an advantage here – students have time to think deeply about their contributions and can watch their group’s map evolve over several days I provide specific deadlines for initial contributions and peer feedback to maintain momentum.  I have found that the key to success in either environment lies in providing clear examples of strong concept maps at the outset establishing specific criteria for meaningful connections and requiring students to explain their reasoning for each link they create Deadlines for each phase keep the momentum going while incorporating peer evaluation into the final grade ensures consistent participation The resulting maps often reveal insights that surprise both me and my students demonstrating how collaborative learning can deepen understanding regardless of the teaching modality.  One-minute papers serve as powerful self-assessment tools in my traditional classes at the end of our discussion on memory formation I ask students to quickly write down the most important concept they learned and one question they still have This simple exercise reveals gaps in understanding and helps students consolidate their learning creating a feedback loop that keeps everyone engaged.  I’ve transformed this into structured reflection journals students must identify their key takeaway and pose one substantive question about the material The asynchronous format allows for deeper reflection and I’ve noticed online students often make fascinating connections to their personal experiences I compile the most thought-provoking questions into a FAQ document creating a collaborative resource that benefits the entire class.  Success in both formats require clear guidelines about what constitutes a meaningful reflection versus surface-level observations Students stating that “the limbic system processes emotions” won’t suffice—they need to explain how this knowledge changes their understanding of human behavior This approach not only reinforces learning but also develops critical thinking skills that serve students well beyond our course.  Measuring engagement across different learning environments requires that I use a systematic approach I track participation through observation and collect quick feedback via index cards I monitor not just the frequency but the quality of their discussion posts and collaborative work The key metrics that I use remain consistent across both spaces: depth of analysis I use a simple framework that examines three elements: initial engagement (participation in discussions or activities) sustained interaction (meaningful responses to peers) and learning application (connecting concepts to real-world scenarios) I look for evidence of critical thinking rather than mere completion This approach helps identify which strategies are working and which need adjustment.  I pay attention to qualitative indicators like the sophistication of student questions and the complexity of peer-to-peer discussions These insights guide my refinement of teaching strategies in both environments ensuring that active learning remains effective regardless of delivery method.  I saw the impact of the adapted strategies in both my traditional and online psychology classes Those initially passive students in my traditional class began to engage in our active learning exercises while my online students built an active learning community through their thoughtful asynchronous interactions the key isn’t choosing between traditional and online teaching methods—it’s understanding how to preserve active learning while adapting strategies to fit each unique environment By reimagining rather than simply transplanting these strategies we can create engaging learning experiences that work effectively across both spaces.  a professor of psychology at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University has a passion for teaching and a genuine belief in the transformative power of education You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream Australians have made a huge statement by convincingly voting Labor back into government for another three years Anthony Albanese will form a majority government with over 80 seats as the Coalition is left to pick up the pieces With regards to whether or not Labor would try to revive ‘the Voice,’ Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price told Peter Fegan on 4BC Breakfast “They’ll absolutely go down that path.” “That’s what they’re interested in is creating more bureaucracies to govern over Indigenous Australians.” “There’s the Coalition of Peaks they’ll want taxpayers’ money for all these things “The gap will not close under Labor because it’s all smoke and mirrors and it’s all talk,” Senator Price continued Hear more highlights from Peter Fegan below and download the 4BC App on iOS or Android to ensure you don’t miss a thing! CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Australia marks the National Close the Gap Day when communities across Australia come together to highlight the issue of  health equality and life expectancy for First Nations people as a fundamental right Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people still live 10-11 years less than non-Indigenous Austraians Closing the life expectancy gap is a national issue in which every individual and organisation in Australia can and must play a role Close the Gap Campaign, a coalition of over 50 major peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous health bodies, NGOs and human rights organisations, released its 2025 Close the Gap Report today addressing this year’s National Close the Gap Day themes of agency The report emphasises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and the tangible solutions needed to close the health and wellbeing gap The report notes that progress has been inconsistent and very little meaningful reform has been implemented Divisive state and territory policies that are in direct contradiction to the National Agreement further complicate the already stagnating and declining progress across critical socioeconomic targets and territory governments to fulfil their commitments It sends a clear message to governments that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples organisations and allies will continue to hold them to account for their progress towards meeting their commitments under the National Agreement Inability to implement the National Agreement directly translates to an inability to improve outcomes for  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples The focus of this year’s National Close the Gap Day emphasises that better outcomes for survival dignity and wellbeing of First Nationspeople are achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people drive the design and delivery of policies that affect them As a human rights organisation that speaks out against injustice for refugees and people seeking asylum and stands in solidarity with and actively partners with First Nations communities following their lead as an ally to support self-determination Read more about the Close the Gap Campaign and join the demand for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality here. Eleven out of 19 targets have seen improvement But only five are currently on track.  There are some encouraging signs: more babies are being born at a healthy weight and more young people are finishing Year 12 or an equivalent qualification. But some areas like suicide rates and adult incarceration are going backwards.  “We need to stick at it,” Pat Turner from the Coalition of Peaks says. “Closing the Gap is more [than just] about statistics Cultural burning: using fire to protect from fire and revive Country Closing the Gap success stories are being written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: PM A strategy lost in bureaucracy and missed opportunities By Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr Clement Nhunzvi The Closing the Gap strategy was envisioned as a transformative initiative to address the profound disparities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians in key areas such as health the strategy stands as a sobering testament to missed opportunities and a failure to confront systemic inequalities at their core One bite at a time," was perhaps the implicit mindset behind the Closing the Gap initiative the greater tragedy is not just the slow progress but the fundamental failure to recognize the sheer scale of the problem and the deep-seated structures that sustain it The architects of the strategy seem to have bitten off more than they can chew—or perhaps the metaphorical elephant is no longer a challenge to be tackled leaving policymakers grasping at ways to repackage their efforts as palatable progress It is impossible to discuss Closing the Gap without acknowledging the role of systemic racism The failure to confront and dismantle entrenched power structures has rendered many policy measures ineffective Addressing symptoms without tackling the root causes—structural inequality and cultural erasure—has led to a cycle of superficial interventions rather than substantive reform While service provision remains an important mechanism for change it cannot serve as the sole solution when access to those services is still marred by discrimination and exclusion True progress demands a decolonial approach—one that prioritises Indigenous agency and a radical reimagining of policy frameworks the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) set ambitious targets aiming to improve the well-being of Indigenous Australians within a specified timeline: only five of the 17 indicators show improvement and Indigenous incarceration rates continue to climb One of the key failings of the strategy is its top-down approach The 2024 Closing the Gap report acknowledged that: This failure of governance underscores a fundamental truth: government-led initiatives constrained by political cycles and bureaucratic inefficiencies are ill-equipped to drive the transformative change needed Indigenous EmpowermentOne of the key failings of the strategy is its top-down approach A call for structural changeIf Closing the Gap were a private enterprise it would be in administration—facing insolvency requiring a complete overhaul of leadership The persistence of a failing model suggests a lack of political will and an entrenched preference for performative action over substantive reform Real change will not come from the halls of government but from the communities who live these realities daily Indigenous leaders have long articulated what is needed: self-determined culturally informed solutions that place Indigenous voices at the heart of decision-making Rather than persist with a failing strategy Australia must adopt an approach that prioritises Indigenous-led governance and sustained investment in grassroots initiatives Structural reform must move beyond tokenistic consultations and towards meaningful partnerships that empower Indigenous Australians to drive their own futures The failures of Closing the Gap are not mere bureaucratic inefficiencies—they are a national disgrace and a stain on Australia's moral and social fabric it will require a radical departure from the status quo The challenge is not just about closing statistical gaps but about dismantling a system that continues to disadvantage Indigenous Australians The path forward lies not in rhetorical commitments but in tangible Only then can Australia move beyond a cycle of failure and towards a future of equity and justice This article conveys the views of Bond University Assistant Professor Clement Nhunzvi on Australia's Closing the Gap strategy He holds a PhD (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Cape Town HIV and the social inclusion realities among adolescents and young adults in Zimbabwe Assistant Professor Nhunzvi is interested in critical social science research around mental health social determinants of mental health and occupational science with special interest to indigenous knowledges marginalised and disadvantaged population groups By submitting this form you are agreeing to receive information from Bond University about study, programs and events. Bond University is committed to protecting your privacy by meeting its responsibilities under applicable privacy laws, as detailed in our privacy policy Sign up to receive our latest posts direct to your inbox CRICOS Provider Code 00017B | TEQSA Provider ID PRV12072 The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future delivering on commitments to First Nations people to help close the gap in partnership with peak bodies the Government releases the Commonwealth’s 2024 Closing the Gap Annual Report and 2025 Implementation Plan The 2024 Annual Report outlines the actions the Albanese Government has taken over the past year to deliver on the outcomes of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap focused on creating jobs and economic empowerment for remote communities easing housing overcrowding and improving safety six-year partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory to deliver essential services for remote communities the Commonwealth will also invest in a range of new measures to: These new measures will build on what we are already committed to delivering over 2025 Read the Commonwealth Closing the Gap 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Implementation Plan at https://www.niaa.gov.au/our-work/closing-gap Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: “We are working in partnership with States Territories and peak organisations to Close the Gap “We are delivering record funding in health as well as $842 million to fund essential services in remote communities “Australians want to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians “The task before us is to build a future in which all Australians have access to the same opportunities.” Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians “The Albanese Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering for First Nations people “We are focused on creating jobs with decent conditions in remote Australia supporting healthy children and safe families and community driven responses to address the causes of crime “In 2025 we are building on these investments focused on easing cost of living pressures in remote communities our long-term economic empowerment agenda and even greater effort to improve living conditions and wellbeing “Through the Joint Council on Closing the Gap we are creating systemic change to improve the way we work with First Nations Australians the Coalition of Peaks and State and Territory Governments to ensure policies and programs are community-led and self-determined to provide the best opportunity for success.” Quotes attributable to Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks “Closing the Gap is not just policy; it is the intentional pursuit to make life better for our people and for the generations that come after us We will hold governments and ourselves accountable until we achieve real “While we know that the full impact of the changes we are making will take time to materialise the National Agreement has already begun to show results The most recent data from the Productivity Commission's dashboard highlights progress We have seen improvements in critical areas such as the proportion of First Nations babies born at a healthy weight and the increase in the land and sea country under Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control These are significant achievements that deserve recognition to strengthen the policies that are working and change the ones that are failing – those that continue to exclude the basic needs of our people.” Subscribe and stay up to date Connect with us PM&C acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land +61 3 9348 7100 Email Enquiries Payten: He's just got that natural ability Derby on scoring his first career NRL hat trick Taulagi: They have been there since day one Robson's kick gives McIntyre first of season How can targeted policy reforms help improve revenue mobilization and fiscal sustainability? Join us for the "Bridge the Gap: Revenue Mobilization in Emerging Market and Developing Economies" conference hosted by the Office of the South Asia Chief Economist South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) and the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP). This in-person event will explore how effective policy measures can help South Asia bridge the revenue gap and mobilize domestic resources to support sustainable development Government revenue is crucial for emerging market and developing economies as it provides the financial resources to fund essential public goods and services Effective revenue mobilization reduces dependence on external aid and enhances resilience against economic shocks South Asia’s revenue collection is well below the average of emerging market and developing economies This shortfall is particularly pronounced in direct and sales tax revenues reflecting challenges such as widespread informality and a large agricultural sector Adopting successful policy measures from other regions could help South Asia address these challenges and boost revenue collection Panel Discussion | Revenue Mobilization in Developing Countries Chief Economist for the Latin America and the Caribbean Region Paper Session 1 | Tax Administration  POLICY PRESENTATION: Trade Tax of Bangladesh PAPER I: Becoming Legible to the State: The Essential but Incomplete Role of Identification Capacity in Taxation PAPER II: Supermodular Bureaucrats: Evidence from Randomly Assigned Tax Collectors in the DRC Weigel; Pedro Bessone; Augustin Bergeron; Gabriel Tourek (University of Pittsburgh); John Kabeya Kabeya PAPER III: The Taxed Informal Economy: Fiscal Burdens and Inequality in Accra Nana Akua Anyidoho; Max Gallien; Michael Rogan; Vanessa van den Boogaard (ICTD/University of Toronto) Keynote Lecture | Why do developing countries (still) tax so little School Professor of Economics and Political Science and W Arthur Lewis Professor of Development Economics London School of Economics and Political Science Paper Session 2 | Fiscal Policy and Reform  POLICY PRESENTATION: Goods and Services Tax (GST) Reform of India PAPER I: Sustainable Revenues and Structural Reforms: How Has India Fared Kritima Bhapta (Centre for Social and Economic Progress); Renu Kohli PAPER II: Equity vs Efficiency of Indirect Taxes: Evidence from a Large VAT Cut in India Pierre Bachas; Davi Bhering (Paris School of Economics); Pulak Ghosh  Bledi Celiku; Antonio Cusato; Natasha Rovo; Dario Tortarolo (World Bank) Paper Session 3 | Raising Revenues for Development POLICY PRESENTATION: Taxing for Growth: Revisiting the 15 Percent Threshold Global Manager of Fiscal Policy and Sustainable Growth PAPER I: How Does Tax Complexity Affect Firm Performances: Evidence from Cross-Country Data Selim Raihan; Mahtab Uddin (University of Manchester and University of Dhaka) PAPER II: Horizontal Inequity of Taxation: Citizen Perceptions and Policy Preferences Pierre Bachas; Christopher Hoy (World Bank); Anders Jensen; Mahvish Shaukat Lasting Challenges: Evidence from e-POS Adoption in Pakistan Sher Afghan Asad (Lahore University of Management Sciences); Isabelle Cohen University of Dhaka and Executive Director STAY CURRENT WITH OUR LATEST DATA & INSIGHTS View the dashboard The Productivity Commission acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, Country and Elders past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of people who have passed away. Link copiedShareShare resultsBy chief election analyst Antony Green posted Fri at 2:00pmFriday 2 May 2025 at 2:00pmFri 2 May 2025 at 2:00pm Updated 12m ago12 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 11:36am updated 1h ago1 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 9:58am | This electorate covers the Brisbane CBD and inner-city suburbs on the northern side of the Brisbane River. The electorate extends along the Brisbane River from the Gateway Bridge to Milton and north as far as Stafford Road. It includes the suburbs of New Farm, Newstead, Bowen Hills, Windsor, Kelvin Grove, Newmarket, Enoggera, Wilston, Albion, Clayfield, Hamilton, Lutwyche, Wooloowin and parts of Stafford. The electorate covers 57 square kilometres. (Victories by a party of government are indicated by thick coloured underlining.) Dr Kirsten Sands describes herself as a wife and mother who has had long experience working the public service and academia. She spent some years studying accounting while caring for her family, raising children and looking after her husband and pets. She earned her PhD before working at Griffith University. She contested the local state seat of McConnel at last year's Queensland election. Wheeler works as a Principal Solicitor and Legal Practice Director for the International Aerospace Law and Policy Group (IALPG). FUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation ‘Close the Gap’ is a social campaign that began in 2007 to encourage schools business and communities around Australia to stand with First Nation Australians It’s a national movement aimed at reducing health inequalities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians The Australian Government responded to the campaign by creating a strategy with a series of measurable targets to improve the health and life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.1 The ‘Closing the Gap’ strategy includes a commitment to: Seven ‘targets’ focussing on health and education were initially created to achieve First Nations health equality by 2030.1 the strategy was refreshed in 2020 after results showed only two out of seven targets were on track.1 The updated strategy now contains seventeen targets in total Some of the new targets include other factors that impact health like the criminal justice system and land rights.1 Four priority areas were also added to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community participation and ownership in the strategy The latest report found governments were making some progress.2 progress on most other socio-economic goals remains slow Suicide rates among First Nations people are currently two and half times higher than non-Indigenous Australians.3 While First Nations people only represent 3% of the population the number of First Nations people in prison increased by 15% between 2023 and 2024.4 Harmful alcohol and other drug use contributes to the health gap between First Nations people and non-Indigenous people smoking and some illicit drug use among First Nations people is decreasing.6 But First Nations people are about twice as likely than non-Indigenous people to: First Nations people experience more health problems from alcohol and other drug use than other Australians.6,7 The health harms from alcohol and other drug use are mostly from chronic diseases like cancer alcohol and illicit drug use caused twice as much harm for First Nations people than the total population tobacco use was the biggest followed by alcohol use alcohol use disorders are the second leading contributor to the health gap.10 Many complex social and cultural factors affect AOD use and harms in First Nations communities availability of substances and polydrug use (using two or more substances at the same time).11 A lack of available and culturally safe services means that it can also be harder for people to seek appropriate support when they need it.12 including harms caused by alcohol and other drug use may not ever succeed without tackling racism – a crucial component missing from the strategy.13 Racism is a risk factor for poor health and wellbeing. It can occur between people, within systems, and as internalised racism Racism is responsible for more than a third of the health gap between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Victorians.13 Impacts of racism have also been linked to harmful AOD use.7 Approaches that address racism are essential for improving First Nations health.14 Programs that have worked well often ensure: National Close the Gap Day takes place each year on the third Thursday in March. This year’s theme is ‘Agency, Leadership, Reform: Enduring the survival, dignity and wellbeing of First Nations peoples.’ To read more or get involved, visit the campaign website 1. Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Closing the Gap Canberra: Australian Government; 2021 [2025 Mar 11] 2. Australian Government Productivity Commission. Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report July 2024; 2024 3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Deaths by suicide among First Nations people Canberra: Australian Government; 2023 [2025 Mar 7] 4. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Prisoners in Australia 2024 5. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians 2021 6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. First Nations people's use of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes and other drugs Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2024 [2025 Mar 7] 7. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Measure 3.11 Access to alcohol and drug services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework website Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & National Indigenous Australians Agency; 2020 [2025 Mar 7] 8. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia 2024 9. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australian Burden of Disease Study 2018: Interactive data on risk factor burden 10. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australian Burden of Disease Study: impact and causes of illness and death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2018 11. Snijder M, Lees B, Stearne A, Ward J, Garlick Bock S, Newton N, et al. An ecological model of drug and alcohol use and related harms among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: A systematic review of the literature 12. Brickley B, Moore S, Tari-Keresztes N, Brand A, Bower M, Bonson JG, et al. Key stakeholders' perspectives of illicit drug use and associated harms in the Northern Territory of Australia 13. Markwick A, Ansari Z, Clinch D, McNeil J. Perceived racism may partially explain the gap in health between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians: A cross-sectional population based study 14. Australian Government Productivity Commission. Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators 2020. Canberra: Australian Government Productivity Commission; 2020. [2025 Mar 11] The ADF acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia upon which we work. We recognise the continued connection of First Nations people to the land, the waterways and to community and kin, and pay respects to Elders past and present. Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s services are here to support communities across all states and territories. We welcome everyone to our service. says Ken WyattThe first Indigenous person ever to hold the post of Indigenous Affairs minister said governments must take stronger action or face potential lawsuits.The former Indigenous Affairs minister says it is 'quite possible' the Commonwealth could face legal action Children are bearing the brunt of the Closing the Gap failures The WA government is being taken to court over Aboriginal tenants' poor housing conditions Step towards justice as Northern Territory Stolen Wages class action reaches $202m settlement Jacinta Nampijinpa Price again calls for an Indigenous affairs audit Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe Preferences from One Nation and other right-of-centre minor parties are surging towards the Coalition at a higher rate than the last election fuelling expectations Peter Dutton could snatch some outer suburban Labor heartland seats that are suffering most from cost-of-living pressures SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. 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Earlier this week at a consultation on ‘honour’ killings senior advocate Vrinda Grover asked: Can we please find another word to describe the murder of young people by their families for choosing to fall in love with someone of a different caste or faith No honour in this crime.(HT file photo) “Words matter,” Grover said The 25-or so of us in the room nodded in agreement We have all grappled with the dilemma of finding a more appropriate term to describe this truly heinous crime To call it murder doesn’t even begin to describe what comes packed with the burden of history Underlining all this is a society that fears the autonomy of adult daughters expecting them to submit to male authority — father son — yet believes that family honour is dependent on them “at the root of this crime is the deeply entrenched hierarchical caste system in India this most dishonourable act goes by the name of honour-killing.” The Centre for Law and Policy Research has a draft bill called The Freedom of Marriage and Association and Prohibition of Honour Crimes bill And the only state in India that has a separate law calls it the Rajasthan Prohibition of Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial Alliances in the Name of Honour and Tradition It’s hardly a secret that the words we use often have their origin in gender There’s an ancient medical belief that symptoms associated with it are a result of the uterus detaching itself from its usual position advanced but the association of the word hysterical continues to describe the emotional state of one gender The double standards of language are littered everywhere Sometimes this double standard is passed off as praise instead of challenging gendered stereotypes that push women into a disproportionate burden of care work ‘supermoms’ — which according to me is an infuriating condescension In recent decades there’s been a push-back against the stereotyping of language I must note that the inane and cutesy ‘eve-teasing’ remains a lazy media fall-back to describe the more accurate street sexual harassment Far too many among us use ‘ladies’ as a compliment (Mind you ‘Girls’ is used to describe adult young women Perhaps the most absurd use of girl and boy comes at marriage time when anxious relatives ask about what the ‘girl’ does or where the ‘boy’ lives Consider this: why are bachelors cool but spinsters Fun fact pointed out by @femalequotient: once synonymous with independent woman, the word spinster became an insult when society deemed that such women were a threat? When the #MeToo movement broke in India in 2018, many asked why the women hadn’t spoken up earlier. There’s a very simple answer here: women of my generation had neither the legal right nor the language to express ourselves. We relied on a whisper network of how such-and-such was a ‘creep’ who might make a ‘pass’ and so should be avoided. Workplace sexual harassment is now a legal protection, and we have Bhanwari Devi to thank. For those who’ve forgotten, the social worker from Rajasthan had accused dominant caste men of raping her for trying to prevent child marriage in her village. The judge hearing the case absolutely would not believe her because, in his mind, how could dominant caste men have even touched a dalit woman? Bhanwari Devi still awaits justice; her case languishing in the Rajasthan high court. Yet, an entire generation of Indian women owe her a debt of gratitude for being able to call out predatory bosses and colleagues. [Readers, please help me answer Vrinda Grover’s question: what’s the appropriate term to replace ‘honour’ killings? Write to me at: namita.bhandare@gmail.com I acknowledge that we come together on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people on this incredibly significant day And I acknowledge too the visitors who’ve come to the gallery who are either here in person or watching from around the country we table the Closing the Gap Annual Report and Implementation Plan The Albanese Labor Government is ambitious for Indigenous Australians.  Closing the Gap - so that all Australians have the same opportunities in life – will take a collective effort As the Prime Minister has just outlined - the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is a landmark partnership It brings together all levels of Australian governments and the Coalition of Peaks From the first day I had the privilege of being the Minister for Indigenous Australians my priority has been collaboration and partnership I have worked closely with my Cabinet colleagues I have reached across the aisle to engage the opposition and the cross bench And I have prioritised deepening our partnership with Indigenous Australians and their organisations – with the Coalition of Peaks the Lead Convenor and my co-Chair of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap at the core of making a difference are the four Priority Reforms - informed by First Nations people and communities positive changes in the lives of First Nations Australians Our Annual Report and Implementation Plan shows the progress made across the Government And details our plan in the priority areas of economic empowerment mental health and wellbeing and giving our children the best start in life; in health The foundation of economic security is Jobs We are delivering on our commitment to get rid of the failed CDP We launched the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program and received more than 200 employer applications in the first round Our jobs program is about the dignity of work During my recent visits to Alice Springs and Kununurra Ephrem and Tremayne working in maintenance at Lily Lagoon Resort Jared and Darren working in town camps near Alice Springs They told me about how proud they are to get up and go to work They are proud - of themselves and each other Our work across government is making a difference Last year we built more than 200 new homes in remote communities in the Northern Territory And we are on track to build an additional 270 this year as part of our 10-year goal to halve overcrowding We have delivered significant increases in funding for First Nations legal services And we’ve invested in 27 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives across the country We have expanded the highly successful Indigenous Rangers Program to create 1,000 new jobs including 770 positions for First Nations women Victoria last year - I met Jessica from the Narrap Ranger group “To have First Nations women take leadership of healing Country is really important to us and really important to many women across Australia.” “Healthy country means healthy people and it’s a part of our identity it’s who we are and to keep carrying that on We are making great progress on our commitment of 500 First Nations health workers – with more than 300 people enrolled We have introduced legislation to expand the role and remit of Indigenous Business Australia to turbocharge First Nations economic empowerment Our focus going forward is to build on these achievements and continue delivering action that will improve people’s lives the Prime Minister travelled to Alice Springs to join the member for Lingiari - my friend and colleague Marion Scrymgour They announced a new 6-year agreement to fund essential services in remote communities across the Northern Territory – like policing The Remote Aboriginal Investment agreement is with the NT Government and Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT This is our way of working – with a community-led approach And Marion Scrymgour is absolutely right about investing in the bush and I thank her for her fierce advocacy that’s secured landmark funding for the people of Lingiari Other important measures we are announcing today include: It’s an important measure I’m very proud of along with our investment in 12 remote community laundries We will target remote communities with high rates of skin diseases and with these laundries we will help stop the spread of preventable infectious diseases One of my priorities – as Assistant Minister and now Minister - has been improving food security in remote communities.  It is unacceptable that people out bush are paying more than double the price as people in urban centres healthy food at affordable prices has such an enormous impact on people’s health We have been working with the states and territories and First Nations experts on a national strategy we have announced subsidies to reduce the cost of 30 essential items we are creating more than 100 nutrition worker jobs in remote communities we are also announcing measures to target the deeply concerning suicide rates in First Nations communities This includes scholarships for up to 150 First Nations psychologists We have delivered on our promise to set up the Office of the First Nations Children’s Commissioner Which will play such an important role in bringing down the unacceptable rates of First Nations children in out of home care and youth detention The levels of violence against First Nations women and children are a national shame The Missing and Murdered inquiry and the recent NT coronial inquest into the deaths of 4 Indigenous women painted a devastating picture Not numbers and statistics – they are daughters The Albanese Government is leading a range of important initiatives and making record investments into services that support First Nations women and children experiencing violence An important part of our work is in changing men’s behaviour When I met with frontline service in Alice Springs recently they made it clear that’s a critical step to reducing violence against women and girls I am so proud of what we have achieved in a short time – and I pay tribute to the tireless work of my friend The focus for 2025 is on continuing to improve health outcomes keep First Nations women and children safe and increase economic empowerment My pride in what we have achieved is only exceeded by my excitement and enthusiasm for the opportunity to do much more.  and one that I invite all people of goodwill to join me in Closing the Gap so that all Australians have the same opportunities in life the current Bitcoin CME gap is presenting a bullish signal for traders indicating a potential upward price movement as market participants anticipate the gap to be filled on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (source: Twitter Bitcoin price tends to move towards filling CME gaps providing a relevant trading strategy for both short-term and swing traders Monitoring this CME gap can help traders optimize entry and exit points based on this recurring pattern 160K-strong crypto YouTuber and Cryptosea founder dedicated to Bitcoin and cryptocurrency education Welcome to your premier source for the latest in AI and AI search tools—driving tomorrow's innovations today marks 17 years since then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson signed the Close the Gap Statement of Intent at the Close the Gap Campaign’s National Indigenous Health Equality Summit The signing was the culmination of the Close the Gap campaign spearheaded from Professor Tom Calma’s 2005 Social Justice Report, which outlined the health and wellbeing inequities faced by First Nations people Close the Gap initiatives and reporting have expanded to education On its 17th anniversary it is an opportune time to reflect on the past education and due process are fundamental rights and to consider the role the legal profession has in closing the gap for the future While Australia has one of the highest life expectancies of any country in the world live up to eight years less than non-Indigenous Australians.1   First Nations people experience higher rates of preventable illnesses from heart disease to diabetes The Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report July 20242 showed the gap between the life expectancy of First Nations people and non-indigenous people was not on track to close by the target year (2031) with the life expectancy of a First Nations men being 71.9 years and 75.6 years for women The 2024 data demonstrated the need for further government action and commitments to make changes to improve health and living outcomes for the First Nations community It also highlighted the importance of the role of First Nations solicitors and health lawyers in policy making to improve access and uptake in health services particularly for regional and remote communities the age-standardised rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners was 2,265.8 per 100,000 adult population The rate in Queensland is slightly lower than the national average at 2,232.4 per 100,000 which is in stark contrast to the non-indigenous rate of prisoners in Queensland which sits at 174.7 per 100,000 Queensland has one of the highest rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners in the country with Tasmania having one of the lowest rates at 768.4 per 100 000 tabled on 10 February 2025 by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shows that community-led approaches are beneficial in reducing contact with the criminal justice system for First Nations people Commitments included delivering the remaining $6.78 million in funding support for four additional justice reinvestment initiatives in Central Australian First Nations communities and investing $3.9 billion over five years to support frontline legal assistance services delivered through the National Access to Justice Partnership which includes $738 million for all parts of the legal assistance sector and $231 million dedicated to First Nations specific legal assistance services.  This year’s National Close the Gap Day overlaps with Harmony Week (17 to 23 March 2025) which highlights Australia’s cultural diversity and promotes inclusiveness The highlight of Harmony Week is Harmony Day which is observed on 21 March 2025 and also happens to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination While Harmony Week is celebrated world-wide it started as an Australian celebration following the “study of strife” in 1998 in which the Federal Government commissioned a study into the nature of racism in Australia Harmony Week is a reminder that we need to be conscientious citizens in our multicultural society we build a society that allows us all to benefit our communities are healthier and more prosperous that can only occur if citizens unite and promote belonging and we have the framework and systems that accurately and respectfully assist marginalised people we know that strategic approaches to remove barriers explore and support creative stakeholder led options industry and communities do lead to successful outcomes there is more work to be done to make health equality accessible for First Nations People Footnotes1 1.19 Life expectancy at birth – AIHW Indigenous HPF accessed 28 February 2024.2 Annual data report | Closing the Gap Information Repository – Productivity Commission accessed 28 February 2024 and website in this browser for the next time I comment Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss is conducting a national listening tour to meet directly with First Nations communities to hear their perspectives on key social… Lawyer and champion for First Nations reconciliation Paul Chartrand is set two give two lectures on the legal and constitutional path to reconciliation with First Nations people February 13 marks the seventeenth anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations The inquiry’s hearings to date have been positive and optimistic There was nothing that suggested a desire of witnesses to allocate blame Prisoners’ Legal Service is conducting targeted visits to a Mareeba prison The forum will bring together more than 80 key stakeholders from First Nations legal community and support services as well as judges In the six months since I became the federal Minister for Indigenous Australians I have heard some inspiring stories of success I have met with men and women in Kununurra in WA’s Kimberley region and in town camps outside Alice Springs who have told me about how proud they are to be working Through our new remote jobs program they are embracing the dignity of work and their communities are also seeing the economic benefits I’ve seen the impact of First Nations led maternity programs including the South‑East Queensland Birthing in Our Community and Djäkamirr Birthing on Country Project in Galiwin’ku in North East Arnhem Land inspired to engage with their culture and with school I have heard the stories of young people turning their lives around and getting back to school or into work with support by frontline services like Nyoongar Outreach in WA I have met with women Indigenous rangers in Healesville Victoria who told me about their work in healing Country and how healthy Country means healthy people I have seen the impact when First Nations people receive lifesaving care on Country thanks to a new renal dialysis unit in the remote outback town of Coober Pedy were made possible because of the persistence of First Nations people in advocating for a better way And our Government’s willingness to work with First Nations people to deliver better outcomes The Prime Minister recently tabled the Commonwealth’s Closing the Gap 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Implementation Plan It gives a comprehensive overview of what our Government has delivered so far we are committed to doing this work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people The National Agreement on Closing the Gap was signed in 2020 under the former Prime Minister Scott Morrison cross-jurisdiction commitment that requires national leadership and partnership between all levels of governments and the Coalition of Peaks We’re seeing this principle in action in our six-year partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory to deliver essential services for remote communities And in the landmark 10-year investment to significantly reduce overcrowding in remote Northern Territory communities and homelands 200 houses have been built in the last 12 months with a further 64 due for completion by mid-year In 2025 we’re continuing our work to improve outcomes for First Nations people We’re reducing the costs of 30 essential products in more than 76 remote stores to improve food security in remote communities We’re also establishing a nutrition workforce building on the work of the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation We’re rolling out new laundries or upgrading facilities in 12 remote communities because we know the connection between scabies and chronic diseases like Rheumatic Heart Disease we’re focused on economic empowerment for First Nations people We’re strengthening the Indigenous Procurement Policy to boost opportunities for First Nations businesses to grow and create jobs And we’re increasing opportunities for First Nations Australians to buy their own home and build intergenerational wealth through a boost to Indigenous Business Australia's Home Loan Capital Fund As I said in my Closing the Gap speech to parliament our Government is ambitious for First Nations people We know there is much more to do to improve the lives of our most marginalised There is no doubting Labor’s commitment to improving the lives of First Nations people And there is no doubting Labor’s commitment to Closing the Gap Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission there are a few adorable toddler dresses too Below you’ll find everything I’d buy from the latest Gap x Dôen drop Dôen is known for its hyperfeminine camisoles and dresses that look vintage but still feel modern This eyelet dress is the perfect embodiment of that vibe but this bias-cut gingham maxi with cap sleeves elevates the pattern out of farm-girl territory I love the rich indigo color of this eyelet top Few things are sexier than a skinny ribbon tied at the cleavage Shift dresses like this are super-versatile and look just as good under a casual jacket as they do with a dressier shawl but this all-blue floral dress reads as a neutral I am constantly searching for lightweight cardigans to wear over a dress at work or to replace a boring T-shirt This one has the added appeal of pointelle texture Here’s the toddler version of Dôen’s popular nightgown-style dress Or a classic and sweet floral dress with a Peter Pan collar … By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York, which you can opt out of anytime. There was a terrific finish to the women’s 20km at the fourth Korzeniowski Warsaw Race Walking Cup – a World Athletics Race Walking Tour Gold meeting – on Sunday (4). A third 2025 duel between Paula Torres and Kimberly Garcia produced a hat-trick of wins for the Ecuadorean - but this time by just one second. In fact, the result was in doubt until the last 50 metres when Torres squeezed out all she could to break the tape just ahead of the two-time world champion. Throughout the race, Garcia kept striving to make the all-important gap, but each time Torres reeled her in. Even when both shrugged off the challenge from Viviane Lyra with 3km to go, there was never more than a stride between them until the finish recorded by Torres in 1:28:29, with Garcia only a couple of strides behind. Lyra from Brazil was third in 1:28:54, but for a long time she more than held her own against the other two. As expected, Garcia, with a blue kinaesthetic strip protecting her right quad and right arm, Torres, Lyra, augmented by Ecuador’s Magaly Bonilla, forged an immediate lead, followed a few metres back by double world silver medallist Katarzyna Zdzieblo. The initial pace was moderate for a quartet with PBs all comfortably under 1:30:00, but by 3km Zdzieblo was already a distant fourth with the rest of the small field fighting for the minor places. A small increase in tempo was too much for Bonilla, and she got dropped at 5km (22:34). Torres carved the smallest of gaps just past 6km, but the other two quickly closed the gap with all of them detouring past standing puddles left by overnight rain. A 31:18 clocking at 7km was significantly faster, and this time Lyra and Garcia were the pair forcing the pace. In fact, 9km reached at 40:14, found Torres needing to close a small gap, with Garcia now asking the questions. It was 44:40 at halfway to underline a race getting serious. Meanwhile, a fading Bonilla provided a welcome target for Zdzieblo at 14km. The Pole passed the Ecuadorean to take fourth albeit more than a minute behind the leading three. The time at 15km was 1:06:44, which proved too much for Lyra despite having race walked faster than the other two this year. For the first time, the Brazilian looked laboured, while Torres and Garcia upped the gears to the finish. There was only a second in it at 19km, and it stayed that way over the final scintillating lap with Torres taking victory in 1:28:29 to Garcia’s 1:28:30. In contrast, the men’s race was a comfortable stroll for Toshikazu Yamanishi in 1:20:48. In fact, the result was done and dusted very soon after 5km. At that point, the new world record-holder put the hammer down and all but disappeared into the distance. Former winner Ciao Bonfim, racing for the fifth time in 2025, gamely gave chase, but the Japanese lead increased from there to the finish – albeit slowly. Bonfim recorded 1:21:32, and Yamanishi’s teammate Kazuki Takahashi was more than two minutes back in distant third, having covered the rest of the race solo from that 5km split. A bonus for race organiser and race walking great Robert Korzeniowski was greeting Maher Ben Hlima in fourth place, fresh off a Polish record of 2:27:51 over 35km in Dudince in March. Bonfim, Japan’s Yuta Koga, Takahashi, and Yamanishi had pushed the early pace, and although the pace wasn’t blazing fast, Koga was a casualty just after 3km and quickly went backwards. Just after quarter distance, Yamanishi found half a gear. Takahashi detached almost immediately; Bonfim gave chase and just about held the initial gap to about 15 metres. Meanwhile, the second group had absorbed Koga with fourth place now up for grabs. But up front, the world record-holder was away and comfortably gone. A glance across as he rounded one of the two 180-degree turns told him all he needed to know as early as 8km. Even so, Bonfim wasn’t going down with a fight. The lead was indeed extending metre by metre but it was still only 11 seconds at 11km. Takahashi was isolated in third 1:04 further back, and Ben Hlima was 1:44 behind towing Germany’s Nathaniel Seiler and Harun Bilir (Turkiye). However, the Turk’s challenge was brief, which left the Pole and the German a free ride to fourth and fifth places. The metronomic leader hit his watch at 15km (1:00:22) 21 seconds in front of Bonfim and 1:36 ahead of Takahashi. Behind the three, Ben Hlima was forging a gap over Seiler – and that final move decided the first five places. Women1 Paula Torres (ECU) 1:28:292 Kimberly Garcia (PER) 1:28:303 Viviane Lyra (BRA) 1:28:544 Katarzyna Zdzieblo (POL) 1:30:335 Valeria Ortuno Martinez (MEX) 1:32:34 Men1 Toshikazu Yamanishi (JPN) 1:20:502 Caio Bonfim (BRA) 1:21:343 Kazuki Takahashi (JPN) 1:22:554 Maher Ben Hlima (POL) 1:23:345 Nathaniel Seiler (GER) 1:23:49 The AMA advocates on behalf of the medical profession and the public - operating at a federal level and within each state and territory Get to know the AMA - the peak professional body for doctors in Australia Meet the representatives on the AMA’s main policy-making body - Federal Council  and  Working  Groups representing  the views of AMA  members Learn more about our Board and get to know our leadership team How the AMA became Australia’s most influential Medico-political association AMA advocacy campaigns working towards an effective health service AMA Position Statements on public health and medico-legal health issues AMA submissions on a range of issues including parliamentary enquiries Using innovative research and communications to shape Australia’s health reform agenda tools and advice for medical professionals and students The complete guide on everything you need to know about becoming a doctor in Australia Costing assistance and guidance on medical services and fees Explore the multiple pathways you can take in medicine throughout your professional journey Confidential counselling and peer support for all doctors and medical students speeches and transcripts from the Federal AMA Australia's leading peer-reviewed general medical journal We raise awareness about issues and challenges facing doctors in training We lobby on behalf of GPs to ensure their voices are heard on the hill We lobby to ensure private practice remains an essential part of healthcare We lobby for the rights and concerns of public hospital doctors in Australia We champion medical care for rural and remote communities We help students find their voice to build a healthy medical profession The Australian Medical Association is calling for a greater focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions to address the unmet targets of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap OneFootball's home page Search Settings Sign In Sign InJoinChelsea boss Maresca on closing the gap with Liverpool: Need more ‘experienced players’ | OneFootballFootball Today As Liverpool arrive at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to receive a guard of honour, Chelsea will be aiming to do more than applaud With Champions League qualification still up for grabs Blues manager Enzo Maresca made clear his side’s focus remains firmly on the top five “Of course it’s not over,” Maresca said ahead of the match and the players are aware of what we are playing for.” Chelsea are currently fifth and in control of their destiny following back-to-back league wins and a 4-1 Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg victory over Djurgardens But Maresca knows the scale of the task ahead when facing the new champions “You can clearly see the difference in points,” he admitted and hopefully this gap can be smaller and smaller and smaller.” The Italian praised Liverpool’s consistency contrasting it with Chelsea’s more erratic form this season “The difference is they have been consistent compared to us,” he said This has probably been the main reason why.” He added that experience remains another major dividing line between the clubs “In terms of experienced players that know how to win games and these kinds of things I think they have something more compared to us,” Maresca said “We’ll for sure have to look at gaining experienced players to close the gap with these kinds of clubs.” he highlighted Levi Colwill as one of the players showing leadership qualities already “He is growing a lot in terms of leadership,” said Maresca Before the action begins, Chelsea will honour Liverpool with a guard of honour “They won the Premier League and deserve it,” he said Asked whether the moment could serve as motivation “I don’t think we need that to understand how good it is to win the Premier League Christopher Nkunku and Robert Sanchez are doubts though Sanchez is training and ‘in a better situation’ Sunday is about more than ceremony for Chelsa It is a test of progress – and a chance to prove they still belong at Europe’s top table Related NewsCole Palmer makes honest admission after ending Chelsea goal drought Arsenal scouted “extraordinary” target on Saturday; Liverpool & Chelsea huge admirers Player assessing all options: Romano confirms Arsenal, Liverpool & Chelsea want £50m star Van Dijk agrees with Slot; absence of one midfielder hurt Liverpool against Chelsea Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, match stream and latest updates today Premier League Awards: Enciso stunner, Semenyo or Delap? Trent Alexander-Arnold announces Liverpool exit Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed that he will leave Liverpool this summer via a lengthy social media statement.The academy product is out of contract at Anfield at the end of the... Ruben Amorim worried about Man Utd's 'real dilemma' after record-extending loss Sonia Bompastor has claimed that the gap between Chelsea and Barcelona is not 'that big' despite their humbling 8-2 Women's Champions League defeat https://www.metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/pa-hospital/pa-hospital-steps-up-to-close-the-gap Staff from across Princess Alexandra Hospital stood in solidarity with their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues on National Close the Gap Day to acknowledge the challenges hospital and health services face in improving health equity for Indigenous members of the community acknowledged that as a nation and as a community there is a significant gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders “There has been insufficient progress in a range of different health outcomes and I think it is important to come together as a group within the hospital setting for events such as Close the Gap to acknowledge that reality,” he said “The work is not done and we as a PA Hospital community and a broader Metro South Health community remain committed to the work to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.” This year the Close the Gap event showcased a number of Allied Health initiatives that are offering meaningful solutions for the complexities of the health system to improve access to these specific areas of care The Hearing Mob Initiative is a fortnightly clinic run at Inala to address the identified gap in access to audiology care The Hearing Mob Initiative is taking this care directly to the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence at Inala where trust has already been established with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for their health needs This outreach service from PAH breaks down the barriers to access by working flexibly within this space to adapt and support what those patients need right away PAH Audiology runs an outreach clinic to Redland Hospital which is also delivering care closer to home for patients on the Moreton Islands Speech Pathology in PAH’s Head and Neck Cancer team are partnering with First Nations consumers and researchers to understand the experiences of access to head and neck cancer services This project hopes to map priority areas for health service change that will have a meaningful impact on the experience of cancer services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples An important message for staff as part of Close the Gap is the need to engage in Cultural Capability training which is delivered by the team to improve understanding of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people and culture how their experience can benefit for greater cultural understanding and how we can deliver care that is safer and more effective in meeting them where they are Dr Wellwood said Cultural Capability training is an essential foundation to improve understanding of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people and culture for other priority areas being addressed by the PAH Making Tracks to Better Health Committee such as Identifying for Better Health and reducing discharge against medical advice “Identifying for Better Health relies on those who are Aboriginal identifying their culture when they present for health services to ensure we have the data to understand the broader picture of their health and the needs of everyone from an Indigenous background,” he said this identification will help us improve the flow of their care in a culturally sensitive way that accommodates the key concerns and values that have been shared through valuable consultation efforts and listening across our health service.” By embedding cultural understanding into everyday practices regardless of the profession or role in the organisation every staff member at PA Hospital will continue to make essential steps towards health equity and Close the Gap own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment University of British Columbia provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation CA University of British Columbia provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR View all partners Racial disparities played a significant role in shaping unequal COVID-19 mortality rates What is less widely understood is how overcrowded housing conditions were an even deadlier variable In California’s Bay Area, for instance, residents of overcrowded apartments — many of them recent immigrants — were found to be significantly more likely to die from COVID-19 than residents of demographically similar Even less examined is the root cause of this overcrowding Overcrowding is not just a matter of zoning or population growth but something more systemic and difficult to confront: the speculative financial forces acting on the land beneath our feet Urban land is now assessed by people not for its consumption value for a home but for its ability to hold and increase in cash value — in other words My recent book, Broken City paints a picture of how the same market logics that defined the Gilded Age of the late 19th century have quietly returned in our own century with similarly corrosive consequences for urban life A growing share of average workers’ incomes is being swallowed up by housing costs often for homes that fail to meet their basic needs This is not the result of natural scarcity but mechanical economic processes that inform the price of urban land We now find ourselves in circumstances uncomfortably close to those of Victorian England or Gilded Age America when mass migrations to urban centres were driven by the need for jobs Back then, as now, a small number of urban landowners were able to extract enormous wealth — what political economist Henry George called the unearned increment — from the labour of others by virtue of owning the right patch of ground was only limited by how much a region’s wage-earners and entrepreneurs collectively produced Almost all of that value eventually went into land price we appear to be experiencing the same phenomenon The social and epidemiological pressures produced by inflated land prices are no longer confined to historically marginalized racial or ethnic groups who are increasingly working service-sector jobs that dominate today’s economy especially in countries like Canada and the U.S. are facing housing pressures once reserved only for the poor At the heart of the housing crisis lies a deeper problem: runaway urban land prices are not just a crisis of housing affordability They are eroding our political capacity to solve many urban problems The same inflated land values that burden tenants and aspiring homeowners also restrict what cities can do to address housing and transportation needs Urban land prices are spiralling due to the collision of two long-term trends. First, the global economy has shifted from being primarily driven by wages earned through labour to one dominated by returns on assets Urban land is now the single largest category of fixed capital asset in the world Second, this asset-driven economy has widened the gap between wages and home prices, and helped drive the explosion in inequality. Housing has become the primary site where that inequality is expressed Public frustration over this yawning gap between stagnant incomes and sky-high housing costs has erupted into political conflict. Many now blame local governments and planning regulations for blocking the supply of new homes But the evidence tells a different story. Take Vancouver, a city that has tripled its housing stock since the 1960s, largely through infill development. If the supply theory held true, Vancouver should be the most affordable city in North America. Instead, it is the least affordable A landmark study published in March by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that supply constraints didn’t explain rising housing prices or housing growth across American cities. In other words, building more housing isn’t enough to bring down prices My book offers several solutions and examples for how cities can reclaim land wealth for the common good One promising approach lies in tying new housing approvals to affordability requirements. This policy framework — known as inclusionary zoning — requires developers to include a certain number of permanently affordable units as a condition for increased density upzoning — meaning increasing the maximum building size the city authorizes for a parcel — can inflate the value of land rewarding speculation and driving prices further out of reach But it does require confronting the truth that the housing crisis is not the result of broken systems — but of a speculative financial systems working exactly as designed Get unlimited access. Save 40% when you subscribe today. By continuing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy Get your intro offer.  It looks like your email isn't registered yet—let’s get you set up We've sent a code to the below email.  It’s been almost two decades since the 2007 Close the Gap (CtG) campaign launched The campaign called for health equality within a generation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians and for closing the gap in life expectancy While all Australian governments committed to the CtG agenda through the 2008 National Indigenous Reform Agreement and reaffirmed this by signing the expanded 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement) the latest Productivity Commission data reveals some socio-economic health determinants are closing  It reveals worsening conditions from the last reporting period and the 2019 baseline overrepresentation of children in out-of-home care As Australia’s largest First Nations consultancy and communities on projects that enhance life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities our 2,000 projects have taken us to more than 800 communities and we’ve had considerable exposure to Closing the Gap We’re uniquely placed to understand how to unlock the National Agreement’s potential.  while energy and climate may need $100 billion annually until 2050 to meet net zero.  The National Agreement brilliantly articulates the transformation required to enable genuine and long-lasting change through the four priority reforms of shared decision-making systemic and structural transformation of mainstream government organisations and enhancing data sharing among stakeholders and communities.  particularly when it rails against decades of lived and professional experience ideally with some level of alignment or coherence alongside a growing but still relatively small community-controlled sector brings unprecedented challenges for many stakeholders.  The contrast between Closing the Gap investment and other national reform agendas is stark The scale and complexity of Closing the Gap investment must be prudent and justified — government has a clear obligation and responsibility to ensure public monies are put to good use and Closing the Gap investments should have a clear fiscal benefit A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of the investment needed to achieve equality of life outcomes hasn’t been done but the net impact on some sectors has been quantified.    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incarceration costs the Australian economy $7.9 billion per annum Deloitte Access Economics estimates the economic benefits of closing the gap in employment outcomes would result in a net gain to Australian Governments of $11.9 billion by 2030-31.  dignity and wellbeing of First Nations Peoples’ underscores the Priority Reforms’ goal of restoring self-determination which has demonstrated benefits for the effectiveness of policy and programs We recognise that true shared decision-making is complex especially when the wheels of government must turn in specific ways or over certain timeframes but the necessity for formal partnerships and authentic collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples cannot be overstated Authentic collaboration must be embedded at every level of policy development and implementation.  What next: We’re seeing rapid maturing and genuine willingness to drive change the government must prioritise establishing formal partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  The National Agreement aims to bolster the Community Controlled Sector yet disparities in resources and information persist These imbalances hinder the sector’s ability to respond effectively to government demands inadvertently stressing government obligations.    What next: Progress requires targeted support to equalise resources and facilitate smoother interactions between sectors Addressing power imbalances and the scramble for limited resources is essential funding structures must extend beyond 12-month cycles to attract and retain a qualified workforce Organisational change within government is challenging due to its inherent complexity and entrenched transactional modes There’s a pressing need for government to adopt relational approaches and develop new skills. Structural change and new ways of working are critical — it’s about much more than cultural competency training for public sector employees.  What next: We’re seeing an openness to change in theory a very public lens on this work and decades of professional experience for committed public servants with a very clear ‘service or program delivery’ modality A strategic approach with structured support is essential for successful implementation.  Data sharing in the Closing the Gap ecosystem is still developing but this is expected given that it’s a relatively new area for most players By weaving Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles into this process we can empower communities to make better-informed decisions As stakeholders embrace more dynamic data-sharing practices they can drive meaningful progress at the community level.  What’s next: Though it’s currently the least developed area focusing on the above principles will significantly advance growth and impact.  but targets don’t mean much without tangible outcomes a Wiradyuri word meaning “our purpose is to go with you,” embodies our commitment to partnership and shared journeys We’re dedicated to enabling meaningful change and will continue to unpack topics and share our unique perspectives to foster dialogue and achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Trash or transformation? Closing the Gap on real partnership Already a subscriber? Log in The opening of the parliamentary year was occasioned by what is by now a depressing and well-established ritual: the annual Closing the Gap report This most recent report still shows how badly adrift Australia is in actually closing most of the often prodigious gaps between outcomes for Indigenous people and white Australians across health But the 2025 report did provide an opportunity to assess the government’s response to the Productivity Commission’s searing report on progress on the 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap which reported a year ago after a draft report in July 2023 The Morrison government’s national agreement was intended to end the cycle of failure to Close the Gap via fundamentally transforming policy and delivery for Indigenous Australians: by establishing genuine partnership between government and Indigenous communities in policy design building capacity for communities to assist in that design and then to deliver policies and improving and giving Indigenous communities greater control over the evidence base for policymaking the Morrison government asked the PC not long before the 2022 election to review progress The Productivity Commission’s first review of the agreement shows that governments are not adequately delivering on this commitment progress in implementing the agreement’s priority reforms has or actions overlayed onto business-as-usual approaches The disparate actions and ad hoc changes have not led to improvements that are noticeable and meaningful for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people This raises questions about whether governments have fully grasped the scale of change required to their systems and ways of working to deliver the unprecedented shift they have committed to The PC was particularly scathing of the failure of government agencies to plan for or even understand the scale of transformation required to deliver real partnership individual actions (such as cultural capability training and workforce strategies to increase employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the public sector) rather than system-level changes to policies and practices.” a year on (and 18 months on from the draft report) Much of the 2025 report is devoted to detailing progress against the recommendations by the PC how is the transformation of the APS going individual actions: an APS “Integrated Unconscious Bias training program” is under development; EL2s are now required to complete cultural capability and competency training; the “AIATSIS’ CORE online cultural training course is now a foundation module (for all APS staff to complete) to strengthen organisational First Nations cultural capability through greater awareness of the vast history and cultural heritage of First Nations people.” Institutional transformation requires more than just a lot more training on cultural sensitivity To drive transformational change across Commonwealth central agencies the Commonwealth is finalising a Central Agencies Strategic Action Plan (CASAP) in consultation with the Coalition of Peaks [representing the Indigenous sector] The CASAP sets out actions central agencies will undertake to enhance core Commonwealth processes including Commonwealth Budget and Cabinet processes to ensure processes better meet the needs of First Nations people the CASAP won’t be finalised until the end of March There’s also an “overarching whole-of-Commonwealth Priority Reform Three Transformation Strategy” (priority reform 3 is the government transformation one) That’s not scheduled for completion until the end of this year There’s better news on capacity building: it is transferring 20+ health programs to Indigenous-controlled organisations; it has — with the states and territories and Indigenous peak bodies — four Sector Strengthening Plans (Disability and Housing) in place to build capacity and capability within Indigenous bodies There has also been more progress on data access: a Framework for Governance of Indigenous Data was launched in 2024 community data portals are under development and Indigenous Data Network Community Data Projects are being delivered metrics to assess the impacts of changes under all the priority reforms — widespread and effective evaluation of programs has been a glaring absence in Indigenous policy (as well as in non-Indigenous policy) for a long time — are also under development by ANZSOG It’s easy to criticise the slow pace of transformation of the APS — and bear in mind the Commonwealth is only one government that has the task of transforming its public service into one genuinely capable of partnering with Indigenous communities But a re-read of the PC report suggests that many hurdles remain to be overcome and the new report doesn’t provide much sense that they’re going to be overcome in a hurry priority reform 3 is a critical enabler of other reforms meaning a lack of progress there would stifle progress elsewhere The commission particularly criticised the reliance on training to address the issue of cultural safety the PC warned — and agencies don’t evaluate the training programs they use (a recurring problem right across the public sector) And it emphasised repeatedly that government agencies can’t achieve transformation by themselves — it must be delivered in partnership with Indigenous people it should be “underpinned by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led assessment of the department’s historic and current institutional racism and by truth-telling to enable reconciliation and active All of this is going on in the shadow of the defeat of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament — one of the key mechanisms for transforming government into an institution capable of genuine partnership in policymaking at its most basic level — and the giant memory hole into which Indigenous affairs since then have fallen Once a significant political moment in the political year the Closing the Gap report — and the annual evidence that the PC produces each winter on key metrics — is now the occasion of pro forma hand-wringing about the need for change before everyone gets back to more important business “A fundamental rethink of government systems and culture… is required,” the PC concluded in its report But there’s not much evidence of that fundamental rethink Time for ‘rubber to hit the road’ in Closing the Gap For subscription enquiries call 1800 077 514 or email [email protected] The prime minister of the day gets up in parliament to make a solemn speech about how the Closing the Gap targets are not on track hear” from the benches as the PM claims they’ll do better and they’ll listen more A few measly crumbs are again thrown on the table We endured the tired charade again on Monday as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed – to no one’s surprise – that only five of 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track to be met by 2031 they forcibly removed more of our children more of our children fell behind in their growth and learning the Productivity Commission delivered a scathing review on Closing the Gap and called for a comprehensive overhaul of the partnership a Djugun man and member of the Yawuru people governments will first need to close the gap between words and action https://youtu.be/pxXQY2KTEYg Federal Labor abandoned its commitment to truth-telling and Treaty State and territory governments doubled down on jailing our children and the child-removal system continues to rip our families apart Almost one in 15 First Nations children are in care after being forcibly removed from their families That’s nearly 24,000 children taken – the continuation of the Stolen Generations with more than one in 10 of our children removed the Finocchiaro government is moving to dismantle the Aboriginal child placement principle which ensures our children stay connected to kin It’s a return to the genocidal policy of assimilation The consequences of these policies are well known Children who are taken from their families are far more likely to enter the child prison system and then adult prison Those who pass through the prison system are more likely to have their own children taken one that governments are refusing to break Queensland suspended its Human Rights Act – for the second time – to allow for the indefinite detention of children in brutal police watch houses Victoria scrapped plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 The Northern Territory lowered the age back to 10 passed punitive bail laws and moved all children from Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre to Darwin the NT officially dismantled plans for Treaty Governments imprison our children at almost 27 times the rate of non-Indigenous children 83 per cent of First Nations children in prison have not been sentenced Most will never receive a conviction resulting in a sentence in conditions that violate international human rights law Queensland has now made it harder for a child to get bail than for an adult the Albanese government refuses to raise the age of criminal responsibility for federal crimes children as young as 10 are being imprisoned in worsening conditions Children will leave these facilities more traumatised more disconnected and more vulnerable to reoffending Yet governments continue to spend more on child prisons than on community-led solutions The latest figures show child prisons now cost $1 billion a year The Closing the Gap partnership promised self-determination but funding earmarked for First Peoples continues to be funnelled to non-Indigenous organisations – churches The latest NT funding package is a recent example It’s disgraceful that this was branded as Closing the Gap funding when so much of it will be used to arrest and incarcerate our people and grow the gap This is particularly irresponsible of the Albanese government given the crisis in courts and prisons in the NT NT Independent MP Yingiya Mark Guyula wrote to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples calling for an investigation into human rights abuses in NT prisons Understaffing in the NT courts is so bad that many First Nations people are being forced to front hearings without any legal representation or interpreters The federal government carries responsibility for this crisis in legal assistance an independent review found these services were underfunded by $1 billion a year The review said at a minimum an increase of $459 million per annum was needed to meet rising demand Just $500 million over the next five years for increased servicing – much less than what is needed Aboriginal legal services called it “a betrayal” and not representative of a government that says it believes in First Nations justice The Morrison government’s 2019 restructure Seventeen years after signing up to this partnership governments are not just neglecting their commitments – they are enacting policies that actively undermine them This week Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro was asked about her government’s move to dismantle the child placement principle and how this would impact Closing the Gap targets around child removal She responded that if the changes “cause offence to people who’ve created national targets She flagrantly ignored the fact her government is signed up to these targets under Closing the Gap and is one of the jurisdictions that is falling most behind the lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks the representative body for First Nations community-controlled organisations within the Closing the Gap framework said that imprisoning vulnerable children flies in the face of what governments signed up to under Closing the Gap Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy was asked on ABC News Breakfast about this comment and whether she was worried that governments aren’t taking the agreement seriously McCarthy responded that she met with state and territory ministers in November last year to discuss the crisis of First Nations children being jailed on remand without sentencing She said this week that after the meeting she sent state and territory ministers to speak with their attorneys-general What happened next affirms Pat Turner’s concerns Victoria announced a review of bail laws with the intention of holding more children on remand New South Wales extended harsh bail laws for kids with Premier Chris Minns boasting that under the laws children will be more than twice as likely to be denied bail These Labor premiers went directly against the federal minister’s request Closing the Gap has become an exercise in political theatre Ministers and their staff nod along in meetings give lip service in the media and then go back to rolling out policies that criminalise and harm our communities In evidence given to the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Youth Justice and Incarceration System at the beginning of last week Gamilaraay woman and Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Natalie Lewis said that when it comes to Closing the Gap and the hyper-incarceration of First Nations children it would be far more effective to set real standards and accountability on the states While the federal government claims it lacks jurisdiction over the prison and child protection systems Legal experts giving evidence to the inquiry made it clear the Commonwealth has constitutional power to enforce minimum standards on the states and territories in line with our commitments under international human rights law – such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child The Commonwealth has used these powers before The Sex Discrimination Act relies on constitutional external affairs powers to enforce uniform standards on states and territories The Commonwealth could use these powers to enforce stronger standards on the states and territories to prevent human rights abuses against children and First Peoples The Commonwealth can also exercise significant influence over state policies through conditional funding agreements like those we see in health Children’s and First Peoples’ human rights don’t seem to be as high a priority the anniversary of the Apology to Stolen Generations my private senator’s bill was debated in the Senate It proposed a modest but important change: requiring the Human Rights Committee to consider the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when reviewing legislation This simple measure would have ensured future governments at least acknowledged First Peoples’ rights in lawmaking Labor’s opposition demonstrates their lack of commitment to upholding First Peoples’ human rights The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has repeatedly denounced Australian governments for violating the UN convention Human Rights Watch’s latest global report condemned Australia’s record highlighting our treatment of First Peoples and children Australia remains the only Western nation without a national human rights act or charter of rights Governments can continue to criminalise our people to steal our children and attack our families and communities Or the Commonwealth can step up and take responsibility to uphold our basic human rights Share this subscriber exclusive article with a friend or family member using share credits use share credits to share this article with friend or family Share credits renew each month and allow a non-subscriber to read a full article Subscribe to The Saturday Paper for less than $2.30 a week Phone   1800 077 514 Email    [email protected] Email    [email protected] © 2025 The Saturday Paper. All rights reserved. and in some cases getting worse.The government still has not committed to the recommendations of a Productivity Commission review from last year which called for significant change The govt isn't meeting its Closing the Gap targets The Queensland birthing program slashing Indigenous child removal rates Australia spends a billion dollars a year on locking up children - with no evidence it makes society safer Prisons for profit: The business of incarceration Youth justice systems increasingly punitive and cruel https://www.metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/logan-hospital/gathering-circle-unveiled-at-special-ctg-event Logan Hospital has officially unveiled its new Gathering Circle, reaffirming the health service's support of culturally inclusive care. The beautiful space was revealed during the hospital's National Close the Gap Day event last week. Surrounded by laser cut privacy screens featuring native flora and fauna, the new space doubles as an outdoor artwork installation for all to enjoy. Logan and Beaudesert Health Service (LBHS) Executive Director Anne Coccetti said Logan's new Gathering Circle, along with Beaudesert's award-winning Gathering Circle, demonstrated the importance of cultural beliefs and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the healthcare setting. "They are both excellent examples of LBHS' commitment to health equity," she said. "We are dedicated to working alongside our community and First Nations staff to ensure our workplaces and healthcare spaces are culturally safe. "The Gathering Circle is an amazing addition to Logan Hospital and I'm sure you'll agree that this beautiful green space will be welcomed by our staff and our community." Staff and visitors at Beaudesert Hospital also came together for a Close the Gap Day event to celebrate their commitment to better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The event, opened with meaningful conversations about driving real, impactful change in healthcare, kicked off with a traditional dance performance and was followed by a morning tea. There were stirring speeches from all sides of politics in parliament this week on the anniversary of the national apology and the release of the annual report on Closing the Gap. Both the prime minister and the opposition leader spoke about a need to recognise what's not working and learn from what is. If elected, Peter Dutton said he wanted to bring "a new beginning" to bear in Indigenous affairs. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price pictured in Alice Springs during interview on scrapping Welcome to Country funding if the Coalition is elected.(ABC News: Simon Winter ) Published: 13h agoSun 4 May 2025 at 10:45pm Published: 13h agoSun 4 May 2025 at 10:30pm Published: 13h agoSun 4 May 2025 at 10:00pm Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio why would Australia say no to us having a voice?” my 9-year-old asked and the No votes were coming in across the country on the television broadcasts “a lot of Australians want us to have a voice we get up tomorrow and we keep going my daughter Today marks one year since Australians voted on whether to change the Constitution to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament I was heartened by the more than six million Australians who voted ‘Yes.’ And by the strong ‘Yes’ vote in remote Indigenous communities Maningrida with 88 per cent and the Tiwi Islands with an 84 per cent ‘Yes’ vote I remain proud that the Albanese Government delivered on the Prime Minister’s election-night commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and our promise to First Nations people to take the Voice to a referendum And I respect the wishes of the Australian people and the democratic system that allows us all to have a say and be part of big decisions I’ve been moved by the resilience of First Nations people we remain committed to the principles of truth-telling and Makarrata But as Minister for Indigenous Australians I don’t want to see Indigenous Affairs weaponised I’m determined to move forward so that one day we can be a country where First Nations peoples have the same opportunities for a happy The most recent Closing the Gap data shows we still have a long way to go First Nations peoples continue to experience disadvantage characterised by high rates of poor health If we want to end this disadvantage once and for all I have been meeting with colleagues across the Parliament to seek a bipartisan and multi-party approach to Closing the Gap The National Agreement on Closing the Gap is a common accord between us all It’s a commitment from all Australian governments and the Coalition of Peaks representing more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled peak organisations and demonstrates a marked shift in the way governments work to drive change for First Nations people The National Agreement sets out four Priority Reforms that have been directly informed by First Nations people: ensuring that policies and programs are created and delivered in partnership with First Nations people; building the community-controlled sector; transforming mainstream institutions; and sharing data and information we can improve life outcomes for First Nations people While the latest Closing the Gap data indicated only five of the 19 targets are ‘on track’ it’s heartening to see progress being made in a further five targets in areas such as housing youth engagement and further education pathways Far more needs to be done but I am optimistic that we can make a difference if we back up our commitments with firm action Like our new Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program that will create 3,000 new jobs with proper wages and decent conditions designed to halve overcrowding in Aboriginal communities Like our National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Like our commitment to deliver 30 dialysis units for First Nations peoples in regional and remote Australia with end-stage kidney disease Like the largest commitment to justice reinvestment ever delivered by the Commonwealth Improvements in these areas will change lives True to his word everything the girls asked for But the smiles on their faces gave me hope for their future and the future of all First Nations children Topics: Closing the Gap targets, National Agreement on Closing the Gap.  WA MINISTER FOR ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS: Hello I’m the West Australia Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and I’d like to welcome all my colleagues from across Australia my ministerial colleagues from across Australia and also the Coalition of Peaks representatives from across Australia Can I start by acknowledging that we are on Whadjuk Noongar country and pay my respects to Elders behind me I have the Co-Chairs of the Coalition of Peaks This is the Joint Council for Closing the Gap And I have Pat Turner representing the Coalition of Peaks and I have Senator Malarndirri McCarthy the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians we are looking at having a frank discussion today on the targets and the reform process for Closing the Gap We are all committed to ensuring that our First Nations people can take their rightful place in society that their socioeconomic status and conditions are on par with everyone else and today’s discussion will be targeted to ensure that we have the priority reforms in place and also the proper implementation plan to ensure that we can close the gap I’m now going to pass over to Senator McCarthy and then she’ll also pass over then to Pat Turner MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Thank you Minister Buti I too would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this country present and emerging on this very special day I personally feel it very special because it’s my first time as Minister for Indigenous Australians to represent on the Joint Council with my Co-Chair Pat Turner I’m also pleased to meet with the Coalition of Peaks who are here behind me but also the Ministers for Indigenous Australia across the states and territories we have new ministers also from the Northern Territory And we have an apology from the Queensland Minister But it is wonderful to be able to gather here with most of my colleagues across the state and territory jurisdictions. As I said when I first got into the role as Minister for Indigenous Australians I wanted to focus It is about the structural issues within how we follow through on the National Agreement at a state and territory level Every state and territory government has agreed to the National Agreement I’ve had a thorough look at that and also looking at the policy partnerships across each area health – there are critical areas that we still need to keep working on. Today I will be calling on those present in the Joint Council that we do have open and frank conversation We are deeply concerned about our youth across Australia and not just in the justice system but what is their future as young Australians How can we expect the country to deliver on making sure our young Australians can have healthy lives lives where they don’t have to be homeless or couch surfing or living in overcrowded situations This is really going to be very important for us today as we gather who I’ve worked with closely since coming into this role reaching out to parliamentarians at the federal level the importance of trying not to weaponise Indigenous affairs when we know we have such severe targets which are not being met in the areas of out-of-home-care And I do look forward to this gathering today Joint Council Co-Chair & Lead Convenor Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations: Thank you very much And I’d like to begin also by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land we meet on today – the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation and pay my respects to Elders past and present. Today marks an important moment as the Joint Council on Closing the Gap meets including with the new members of Indigenous Affairs from the Northern Territory This is the first meeting since Minister McCarthy began her role at the federal level as the new Minister Our focus today is on how we can better support our young people their families and communities to prevent involvement in the out-of-home-care and justice systems As the Coalition of Peaks we represent over 80 peak bodies collectively representing more than 800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations These organisations provide essential services to over half a million of our people across the country. We see first-hand the devastating impacts of the current out-of-home and youth justice policies We are deeply concerned by recent moves in some jurisdictions to lower the age of criminal responsibility which we believe will only lead to further harm Currently 84 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth aged between 10 and 17 in detention are unsentenced This highlights serious issues in the justice system where many young people are detained long before their cases are resolved. It is clear that the current approaches to youth justice are failing To truly support our young people we must embrace strength-based culturally safe pathways that focus on healing and rebuilding connections with culture Reform must prioritise prevention and support initiatives led by the community. Our Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations play a critical role in developing and delivering programs for youth and families focusing on long-term These organisations keep young people engaged in education foster a sense of belonging and provide support where it’s most needed helping young people to have a safe place to sleep an essential service for addressing the underlying factors that often lead to homelessness. Housing is more than just a roof; it is a foundation to health Housing reform must be a core priority for Closing the Gap recognising its strong links to improve health educational outcomes and economic participation The housing and homelessness intergovernmental agreement policies are a clear way to quarantine funding to meet the dire housing needs of our people. A shift to culturally safe community-driven programs requires governments to follow through on their commitment to redirecting resources ACCOs run by our people who bring a deep understanding of their communities are essential to real and lasting change Australia needs to move forward in the transforming of our approach to youth justice and strengthening the wellbeing and safety of our young people. A crucial step towards reform is the upcoming appointment of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People which will ensure accountability and drive meaningful change for our young people Another example is the powerful work being led by our people to address community needs in the First Nations Health Worker Traineeships Program and Minister McCarthy has been closely aligned with that And I also have been closely involved in my role as the CEO of NACCHO. Several hundred trainees are working towards qualifications in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care in Certificate III and IV levels containing cultural and clinical training tailored to the specific needs of our communities These traineeships are making a real difference ensuring that rural and remote areas have qualified health workers and enabling our people to access healthcare they can trust knowing that their cultural needs will be respected These kinds of initiatives are stepping stones for individuals and the seeds for healthy futures through building our nation’s health workforce These initiatives also align with the ambitious vision outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap self-determination and culturally-led service delivery Yet this vision will only become a reality through sustained accountability and tangible action across every jurisdiction. On behalf of the Coalition of Peaks I look forward to working with all ministers including the new ministers from Queensland to continue advancing the implementation of this agreement across Australia JOURNALIST: A review from earlier this year showed there’s still a long way to go for the Close the Gap campaign and governments have shown and agreed they’re not prioritising those priority agreements MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: You may be referring to the Productivity Commission Report It has been discussed at Joint Council by my predecessor We’re certainly very conscious of it as the Joint Council What I will say is that coming into this role I also know that part of that commitment is also about ensuring at the federal level that we have fellow parliamentarians in the Australian Parliament aware that every state and territory has signed up to this Agreement but also working with each state and territory as to where we can improve that whilst we have the Indigenous Affairs Ministers from around the country here these targets are not just on the shoulders of Indigenous Affairs Ministers Every single minister in a cabinet across this country has responsibility to Closing the Gap whilst the Indigenous Affairs Ministers are here they will certainly hear the concerns of the Coalition of Peaks and also their shared concerns by their colleagues but they are to take that back to their Cabinet and they are to express to each Cabinet member of their responsibilities in Closing the Gap JOURNALIST: Do you think that would help them in another acknowledged failing of the implementation Do you think that would help with those kind of aspects as well MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Look I’m a fairly optimistic sort of person I do believe that we’ve got at the highest levels in this country Cabinet ministers who are gathering Indigenous leaders across this country who are working together And I am firmly of the view we can close the target with trying to improve the employment and the health outcomes We’re certainly doing it in the early childhood and learning space Our country is very capable of closing this gap PAT TURNER: I just want to add that the Aboriginal Affairs Ministers are really our champions in Cabinets around the country and that’s why we look to have a strong working relationship with them where we can have frank discussions and get them hopefully to persuade their colleagues in Cabinet to do the right thing But the implementation comes down to the bureaucracy being a normal bureaucracy you see a lot of churn a lot of turnover of senior people in roles a lot of us have been around for a long time in the Coalition of Peaks – “Oh another new bureaucrat” that you’ve got to educate every time the bureaucracy has been slow in embracing it But where we have Premiers’ Department driving it we have some really good work coming forward And so as long as the line departments fulfil their responsibilities in getting across their responsibilities in Closing the Gap Friday was a good day to be a Gap shopper The brand released its second collaboration with Dôen a line of "California vintage-inspired classics celebrating timeless femininity," as Gap and Dôen described it We're always curious about approachable retailers collaborating with designer brands so two Business Insider reporters went to their local Gap stores to check out the collection the day it dropped The Gap x Dôen collection was available in select stores at 10 a.m For those unfamiliar, Dôen is a California-based brand specializing in women's clothing with a feminine and beachy flair but the brands share some DNA in their classic silhouettes and approachable fabric The new line — a follow-up to Gap and Dôen's successful 2024 collaboration — featured 38 items including five men's pieces and four garments designed for baby and toddler girls Here's what we found when we checked out the collection for ourselves I arrived at the Gap on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan about 15 minutes after it opened and the store was already crawling with eager shoppers and a tank top before heading to the dressing room afraid my size wouldn't be left in anything if I didn't act quickly I had to wait in line for about 15 minutes before I got into a dressing room and all the shoppers waiting with me were also holding pieces from the Gap x Dôen collaboration I thought the shapeless silhouette of both made them look like pajamas or beach coverups and there's no way I'd spend that much on something I wouldn't wear in my everyday life I don't usually love how an empire waist cuts my torso allowing me to adjust it for comfort and fit and I could picture myself wearing it on a dinner date with my husband or walking around the city in the warmer months particularly because Gap sells similar maxi dresses for $50 to $60 cheaper Gingham look is a bit trendy and might feel outdated by next summer which were nearly sold out online by 12:30 p.m I've been hunting for a good pair of denim shorts a closet staple that's annoyingly difficult to find fit your waist well but don't fit your hips or seem like they were designed for a teenager instead of an adult woman The Gap x Dôen shorts had everything I was looking for The trouser fit made them look mature compared to the shorts of my past and they didn't feel tight as I walked around I also liked the silhouette the high waist gave me and the chic addition of the button detailing on the front I decided to splurge on the shorts as an investment piece in my summer wardrobe It was a relief to know I wouldn't have to brave the experience of short shopping again anytime soon vintage-inspired basics that can be pricey I'm always intrigued when designers collaborate with mid-range retailers like H&M and Target about seven of us entered — politely but quickly — and found four racks featuring a limited selection of the collaboration pieces The long-sleeved option didn't work for me While I loved its ruffled collar and intricate knit work short-sleeved top almost came home with me and could be a staple of my wardrobe all year round My wardrobe lacks solid shorts and trousers so I promised myself I'd splurge if Gap x Dôen made the pairs of my dreams I tried on the same $78 shorts my colleague bought and loved them Smaller sizes were gone after I'd left the dressing room They were a touch too tight around my waist — the next size up was too big — and the pants were a bit see-through from the hips to the thighs I liked most of the pieces I tried on and truly considered buying the red top especially for a basic that I can probably find a comparable yet cheaper version elsewhere The Gap x Dôen collection seems like a major win for Dôen fans, as the line offers the designer brand's aesthetic at a lower price point For instance, Dôen's Ischia dress in gingham retails for $348 over $200 more than the Gap x Dôen Gingham dress even if the Gap dress is slightly different in quality or style a Gap shopper might experience the opposite If you love Dôen or need a pair of jean shorts you may want to stick to Gap's stand-alone pieces the cyber domain was perceived as a virtual one every cyber attack leaves a tangible footprint—a compromised server a disrupted infrastructure or a breached supply chain When critical systems such as water supplies or hospital networks are targeted the consequences extend beyond data theft to real-world crises that can cost lives Recent cyber incidents, including Russian attacks on European infrastructure in France and Italy and Chinese government-backed breaches of U.S telecommunications and critical infrastructure have underscored that the cyber domain is evolving from digital espionage to kinetic effects with physical damage.  Chinese-backed attacks illustrate the U.S. vulnerability against the adversaries. In response, the Pentagon is fast-tracking its Cyber Command 2.0 review to counter the surge in state-sponsored cyber threats national cyber forces focuses on four main efforts including an advanced training center for military cyber forces and a better engagement with industry Adversaries have long focused on offensive cyber operations while NATO allies remain largely in a defensive posture The fundamental asymmetry in cyber warfare means that defenders must be 100% effective at all times whereas attackers need only succeed once to cause significant disruption In an era where cyber threats seamlessly bypass national boundaries the traditional focus on internal cyber defense has become a deceptive mindset The globalized technology market ensures that devices and software are constructed from components sourced worldwide No longer can a country be resilient against cyber crimes by protecting only its borders all NATO member states have made significant efforts to enhance cross-border collaboration and counter emerging cyber threats the need for knowledge-sharing in cyber defense often conflicts with the necessity of protecting national security There must be a compelling reason for collaboration to push states to disclose vulnerabilities and admit that their defenses have been compromised Major policy changes take time—a luxury we don’t have in a fast-evolving cyber threats landscape state-backed actors like Chinese groups or Russian entities such as Gamaredon and Sandworm stay one step ahead moving faster than the systems designed to stop them Timely knowledge often lies outside government structures and public-private collaboration can bridge this gap enabling faster action while long-term policies are developed Here are two notable examples of public-private collaboration both beneficial for state cybersecurity bodies: Governmental collaboration with internal private companies in cyber training.  A recent example of joint activity is Finland’s national cyber exercise, which focused on municipalities and critical infrastructure operators. The exercises were aligned with Finland’s updated security strategy which reflects the changing security situation at the Russian border and lessons learned from the war in Ukraine This updated strategy outlines a comprehensive security concept National cyber drills held in February 2025 involved 150 participants from across the country These drills were developed by the independent cybersecurity training center Jyväskylä Security Technology (JYVSECTEC) the Finnish Ministry of Communications and Finland’s Security Committee which played a guiding role in implementing the exercises participants exercised to understand how cyber emergencies can impact their operations and cooperation with others leveraging the state experience in cyber warfare A notable example is the TRYZUB drills, designed through a partnership between Ukrainian state cyber forces and the U.S.-based company CYBER RANGES These drills are based on real-world scenarios of attacks by Russian state-backed offensive cyber operations groups like Gamaredon and Sandworm which have been targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure for years and are now spreading their malign influence to NATO member states the Sandworm group was responsible for attacking the core network of Kyivstar—the biggest Ukrainian telecom provider—leaving 24 million customers without connection the air raid alert system and other critical infrastructure were also affected by the attack Sandworm was blamed for cyber attacks on U.S Microsoft Threat Intelligence reported that Sandworm has been carrying out a “near-global” initial access campaign dubbed “BadPilot” since at least 2021 targeting high-value sectors in the United States arms manufacturing and international governments Gamaredon—another group linked to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB)—is the most engaged advanced persistent threat group in Ukraine which has attempted to compromise targets in several NATO countries: namely Bulgaria According to the ESET research Gamaredon has notably improved its cyber espionage capabilities and developed several new tools focused on stealing valuable data TRYZUB drills replicate these threats in a safe Ukraine offers its war-tested experience in withstanding advanced persistent threats to train military units critical infrastructure operators and government bodies worldwide Both partnership formats have proven to be efficient and demonstrate the most direct path to enhancing cross-border cooperation in the cyber defense domain it makes sense to leverage the strengths of each side: Building a secure cyber future requires education Cyber hygiene must be embedded in society from an early age as the human factor remains the weakest link in the cyber crime chain Cross-national cooperation must also be streamlined to adapt to the evolving threat landscape multinational cyber drills and public-private partnerships NATO and its allies can stay ahead of adversaries and strengthen their cyber resilience Graziano has more than 20 years of experience in information and cybersecurity ranging from developing one of the very first UK cybersecurity university master programs in 2005 to security consultancy and strategic advisory for private and government organizations across Europe Home > News > 2SER Breakfast: 2025 National Close the Gap Day a day to acknowledge the need to close the gap in health justice and education outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to establish the Joint Council on Closing the Gap every state and territory signed up to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap committing to action to implement the four priority reforms for working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and progress action on the 17 socioeconomic targets by 2031 Recent data from the productivity commission shows only four of those 17 targets are on track Solicitor Kate Sinclair and Dharug woman joined 2SER Breakfast to discuss what needs to change The Justice and Equity Centre is a leading independent law and policy centre stronger society by tackling injustice and inequality Gadigal CountryLevel 5, 175 Liverpool StreetSydney, NSW, 2000, AustraliaP +61 2 8898 6500F +61 2 8898 6555 © 2024 The Justice and Equity CentreABN 77 002 773 524 | ACN 002 773 524Site by Marlin Communications  |  This website uses Google reCAPTCHA