CLOSETHEGAP – Voyage to Voice, Treaty, Truth and Beyond. Campaign Report 2024
Our summary
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, individuals, and organisations have worked tirelessly over the last 12 months to push for better outcomes and recognition for our communities. The year has seen extraordinary advocacy, action, and strength, as well as steep challenges and deep disappointments, including the defeat of the Voice proposal in the October 2023 Referendum. Despite the setbacks, this report refocuses the narrative on our peoples’ strengths and successes.
It showcases our people’s unwavering commitment to our communities, and our staunch calls for governments and, more broadly, Australia to do more towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition, rights, justice, and equity. This follows a difficult and often devastating year where mainstream media and political commentary projected an intense deficit lens about our peoples that went to the heart of our identities and rights, the issue of racism in our country, and the need more than ever for a truthtelling process.
The themes of this year’s report are Progressing Voice, Treaty, and Truth; Leadership and Governance; and Building our Economies. They are explored through nine case studies, which are exemplars of Blak excellence. The themes speak to economic, social, political, and cultural determinants of health that are crucial to commitments by Australian governments to closing the gap.
Downloads and links
The report also features a Year in Review, highlighting other important issues that inform our recommendations, including progress (or lack thereof) under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the need for a standalone National Plan for First Nations Family Safety as part of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022–2032. We call for ongoing investment in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, and in cultural safety in healthcare, both crucial to close the gap.
The Year in Review also features the Voice Referendum, playing special tribute to the dedicated work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the campaign, with three spotlighted organisations: Wungening Aboriginal Corporation; the Central Land Council; and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO).