National Close the Gap Day

Thursday 21 March is Close the Gap Day – a day dedicated to reflecting on the health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can expect to live up to 10-17 years less than non-Indigenous Australians. The health gap exists largely as a result of decades of government inaction and a continuing lack of appropriate medical services.

A recent report on Close the Gap shows the Australian Government is not meeting many of the planned targets. For further information and how you can contribute to closing the gap, please visit: https://closingthegap.pmc.gov.au/

Close the Gap Day

In honour of Close the Gap Day, Anglicare NT acknowledge the ongoing and many harmful impacts of colonisation in Australia and subsequent government policies, including the removal of people from their families, their lands and their cultures that continue to threaten the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We understand these to be contributing factors to the key areas of disadvantage and crisis that too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffer.

We understand that trauma-related impacts of such changes are felt across generations and may cause or directly impact mental health challenges, and therefore should be acknowledged to inform future healing.

We acknowledge that current suicide rates among Aboriginal youth show there is urgent need for appropriate, culturally informed and measurable intervention.

We also recognise the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and want to express our respect and the opportunity we have to learn from leaders and community members. We believe that Closing the Gap is in the interest and wellbeing of us all.

Anglicare NT acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and Owners of this country and we pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the widespread and many harmful impacts of colonisation and commit to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards justice and reconciliation.