Chapter 1Introduction
1.1On 28 November 2024, the Select Committee on Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities was established to inquire into and report on the current regression of the Closing the Gap targets on the rates of suicide, the number of children in out-of-home care, adult incarceration and the number of children commencing school who are developmentally on track, with particular reference to:
(a)the ways in which the targets are funded;
(b)the ways in which the targets are measured and evaluated;
(c)the priority of the targets in the National Partnership Agreement and progress under the National Priority reforms;
(d)the degree to which current measurements and targets reflect the strengths of First Nations cultures, as opposed to an emphasis on deficit and lack;
(e)the possibility of incorporating broad ideas about wellness into measurements, with a view to promoting mental, physical, and spiritual health and wellbeing;
(f)the incorporation of alternative measurements as a complement to existing measurements;
(g)opportunities for building on and expanding the current Closing the Gap framework; and
(h)any other related matters.
1.2Under the terms of reference, the committee is required to present its final report by 30 May 2025. However, due to the upcoming federal election, the committee agreed to table this interim report to consider some of the evidence received so far.
1.3Details of the inquiry were made available on the committee's webpage and the committee invited government departments and agencies, organisations and individuals to provide submissions.
1.4At the time of writing, the committee received 55 public submissions which are listed at Appendix 1 of this interim report, and held the following public hearings:
19 February 2025, in Sydney
6 March 2025, in Canberra.
1.5A list of the organisations and individuals who attended as witnesses at these public hearings can be found in Appendix 2. The public submissions, additional information received by the committee and Hansard transcripts are available on the committee's website.
1.6The committee intends to hold additional public hearings in the 48th Parliament and encourages the Senate to reestablish the committee so it can continue this important work.
Structure of report
1.7This interim report is set out in four chapters.
1.8Chapter 1 provides an introduction to this report.
1.9Chapter 2 outlines the development of Closing the Gap in Australia, leading up to the signing of the historic National Agreement on Closing the Gap in 2020. It also sets out the priority reforms and socio-economic targets agreed to by Parties to the National Agreement.
1.10Chapter 3 discusses responsibilities of the parties under the National Agreement and the accountability mechanisms in place.
1.11Chapter 4 considers some of the themes that have been identified in the evidence received to date.
Notes on references
1.12References to Committee Hansard may be references to a proof transcript. Page numbers may differ between proof and official transcripts.
Acknowledgements
1.13The committee sincerely thanks all those who have contributed to the inquiry by making submissions, providing additional information, and appearing at public hearings.
Acknowledgment
1.14The Select Committee on Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communitiesacknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout the lands now known as Australia. The Committee pays respects to Ancestors and Elders past and present, and honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to lands, waters and seas.
Notes on language
1.15The committee acknowledges that Australia's First Nations peoples comprise hundreds of groups that have their own distinct languages, histories and cultural traditions. In this report, the terms 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people', 'First Nations people' and 'Indigenous people' are used interchangeably, with respect.
1.16The committee understands that some Torres Strait Islander peoples may not be comfortable with some of these terms. It should be noted, however, that each of these terms has been used in the evidence to the committee. The committee only means to convey respect through the use of these words.
Content warning
1.17Material in this report may be confronting. Sometimes words can cause sadness or trigger traumatic memories. If you need to talk to someone, support is available. The following services are available 24 hours a day:
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
13YARN: 13 92 76