The Albanese Labor Government is pushing forward with its commitment to Closing the Gap, working in partnership with First Nations organisations, states, territories, and local communities to deliver meaningful change.
The government has released the Commonwealth’s 2024 Closing the Gap Annual Report and the 2025 Implementation Plan, outlining progress made and the next steps in addressing systemic inequalities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed the government’s commitment, stating,
“We are working in partnership with states, territories, and peak organisations to close the gap. Australians believe in a fair go, and our goal is to build a future where all Australians have access to the same opportunities.”
Over the past year, key initiatives have been rolled out to support economic empowerment, improve housing, and expand access to healthcare in remote communities.
The government launched the Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program, aimed at creating up to 3,000 jobs over three years. The Indigenous Rangers Program was expanded, providing 1,000 new roles, including 770 positions for First Nations women. Meanwhile, the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy was introduced to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities benefit from the clean energy transition.
Housing remains a critical focus, with over 200 new homes built in remote Northern Territory communities, part of a broader 10-year plan to halve overcrowding. Healthcare initiatives have also been strengthened, with the opening of the first of up to 30 dialysis units in remote areas, increased access to affordable PBS medicines, and over 300 enrolments in the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program.
Legal and justice support services have also seen significant investment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services received increased funding to assist women and children experiencing domestic violence. Additionally, 27 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives were funded, and a dedicated National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People was established to address the over-representation of First Nations youth in out-of-home care and detention.
Looking ahead to 2025, the government is prioritising measures to ease cost-of-living pressures in remote communities, strengthen economic empowerment, and improve living conditions. A $842 million partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory has been announced to fund essential services, including policing, women’s safety, health, and education.
New measures will also be introduced to cut the costs of 30 essential products in over 76 remote stores, expand housing programs, improve maternal care, and support First Nations business growth. The government will also provide scholarships for 150 First Nations psychology students and increase mental health support in communities.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, emphasised the government’s ongoing efforts, saying,
“We are focused on creating jobs with decent conditions, addressing housing overcrowding, supporting healthy children and safe families, and ensuring community-driven responses to crime. In 2025, we are building on these investments to ease cost-of-living pressures and drive long-term economic empowerment.”
The impact of these initiatives is beginning to show. The latest data from the Productivity Commission’s dashboard indicates progress, with five out of 19 Closing the Gap targets now on track. Improvements include an increase in First Nations babies born at a healthy weight and an expansion of land and sea country under Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander management.
Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, Pat Turner AM, acknowledged the progress while underscoring the need for continued accountability.
“Closing the Gap is not just policy; it is the pursuit of real, lasting change. Governments must strengthen policies that work and change those that fail our people. The journey is long, but we are seeing results, and we will hold ourselves and governments accountable every step of the way.”
With the 2025 Implementation Plan setting the course for the next phase of reforms, the Albanese Government is pressing ahead, determined to ensure First Nations communities lead the way in shaping their future.
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