As gap widens Greens reaffirm commitment to First Nations people

The Greens have responded to the Federal government’s 2024 Closing the Gap statement in Canberra on Monday as another ‘Groundhog Day’, paying lip service to the government’s election campaign.

First Nations spokeswoman Senator Dorinda Cox said the report “continues to tell the story most of the mob already know and experience daily”.

“What’s not written is that the lack of action,” Senator Cox said.

“These targets are continuing to keep First Nations people out of schools, out of hospitals, out of workplaces, and in detention centres and putting our people in early graves.

“These attitudes empower State violence against our people and ensure we do not get justice.”

The report emphasises the lack of action from governments in ensuring that First Nations people are not left behind with the announcement of only five targets being on track.

Senator Cox said through her role as the Chair of the Select Senate Committee on Measuring outcomes for First Nations communities, she will look closely at how to strengthen the accountability mechanisms for implementation of the Closing the Gap agenda.

“We will hear directly from grassroots communities their solutions to some of the poorest socio-economic outcomes in the country,” she said.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said since the referendum the government has had no clear plan for First Nations’ justice.

“Successive Liberal and Labor governments have not succeeded in closing the gap, as they have failed to address the structural issues confronting First Nations communities, Mr Bandt said.

“Australia needs a pathway to implement the Statement from the Heart in full. In the next Parliament, the Greens will put our bill to establish a Truth and Justice Commission to a
vote.

“It’s time to make real progress on Truth telling, Treaty and empowering First Nations decision making.”