No Clear Picture of Where Millions in Funding Going for Aboriginal ‘Closing the Gap’ Targets

Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has earmarked the introduction of penalties to help with enforcing targets.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Malarndirri McCarthy in Canberra, Australia on March 30, 2023. Martin Ollman/Getty Images

A parliamentary hearing has revealed a lack of clarity on Indigenous “Closing the Gap” spending with Minister Malarndirri McCarthy earmarking penalties to help with enforcement.

Closing the Gap is an Australian government strategy to resolve disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in key areas such as health, employment, education and life expectancy.