Continuing efforts to Close the Gap
The Government remains committed to Closing the Gap in Indigenous disadvantage, and is continuing its efforts across a range of policy priorities, particularly in remote areas, where the largest disparities exist.
Improving economic participation
The Government is supporting Indigenous economic development and opportunity, providing $1.6 billion over five years for:
- the Remote Jobs and Communities Program to provide an integrated approach to participation and employment services in remote areas;
- support for Indigenous education, including to attract high calibre teachers to remote areas;
- flexible provision of concessional home loans to assist Indigenous people to own their own home; and
- increasing Indigenous employment in the Australian Public Service.
Access to services
To underpin improvements that need to be made in remote areas, the Government is providing $43.4 million in 2012‑13 for remote municipal services, and $21.2 million over four years to work with the Queensland Government for major infrastructure works in the Torres Strait.
Indigenous people will also benefit from $48.6 million for integrated health services, funded through the second regional-specific round of the Health and Hospitals Fund, and $30.6 million over four years for 200 culturally appropriate aged care places.
Recognising Indigenous culture
The 2012-13 Budget includes several new initiatives that recognise the
unique and significant place of our first peoples. This includes around $80 million over four years:
- to establish a free-to-air Indigenous television channel, which will have national reach;
- to support the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies; and
- to continue to build understanding and support for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
A multi‑dimensional approach — priority outcomes for overcoming Indigenous disadvantage