National Close the Gap Day, held annually on the third Thursday of March, is an important opportunity to reflect on the ongoing health and social disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Today, 20 March, serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and institutions to advocate for meaningful change.
The Close the Gap campaign was established in 2007 to address the significant inequalities in life expectancy, child mortality, education, and employment outcomes faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Centre Elder in Residence, Gregory ‘Uncle Cheg’ Egert, says while progress has been made, recent reports highlight that more work is needed to achieve real equity.
“We are focused on improving outcomes for Indigenous Australians through evidence-based, community-led research, that informs policy and meaningful change,” he said.“The Centre is led by Indigenous scholars and experts and is committed to addressing the underlying factors that contribute to intergenerational inequities.
“Through our research and collaboration with community, we will inform policy development and drive systemic change in areas such as health, education, and economic opportunity.”
Part of this work with community includes the Centre’s community partners, some of which make up the 50 ‘Coalition of Peaks’, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled member organisations, that work on Close the Gap reforms.
Centre Director Brendan Hokowhitu says the team is working to bridge these gaps by producing research that directly informs policies and programs designed to improve the well-being of Indigenous Australians.
“A core principle of the Centre’s work is ensuring that Indigenous voices are at the heart of the research and solutions being developed,” he said.“By working closely with communities, the Centre ensures that policies are culturally appropriate, sustainable, and effective in delivering tangible outcomes.
“This approach aligns with the broader goals of the Close the Gap campaign, which emphasizes self-determination and Indigenous-led solutions.”
By addressing the root causes of inequity and championing Indigenous perspectives, the Centre plays a vital role in driving Australia closer to achieving the vision of true equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
To find out more about Close the Gap visit closethegap.org.au/closing-the-gap
