Today the Close the Gap Campaign calls on Australian governments to embrace genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to collectively close the gap in health outcomes for the next generation.

“We need transformation of minds to have transformation of systems,” said June Oscar AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, and Co-Chair for the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee.

Launched today on 17 March Close the Gap Day, this year’s campaign report produced by the Lowitja Institute, highlights that despite unprecedented health challenges from the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are leading the way in transforming health and community services, policies and programs, with foundations of culture and Country at the centre.

“This year’s report demonstrates that health equity can be achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lead the way through good practice based on Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing,” said Commissioner Oscar.

The Close the Gap Campaign Report 2022: Transforming Power: Voices for Generational Change focuses on themes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led transformation, gender justice and equity, and allyship – the need for trust and accountability in partnerships to enable transformative change.

“It’s time to recognise a need for large-scale systemic reform and a paradigm shift in policy design and delivery if we want to improve outcomes in health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said campaign co-chair Karl Briscoe.

“We have the mechanisms to lead reform through the National Agreement on Closing the Gap by ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership guides implementation. Through allyship and trust, we can commit to making a difference for the next generation.”

– Karl Briscoe, Co-Chair for Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee, and CEO for National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP).

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