Senator Presses Officials on $22 Billion Spent on Mixed ‘Closing the Gap’ Results

Simon Gordon, group manager for strategy at the NIAA, said he needed to confirm if Price’s claim of $22 billion was accurate.

Shadow Defence Industry Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Nov. 20, 2024. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Liberal Senator Jacinta Price has probed government officials on the effectiveness of their approach to lifting Indigenous health, economic, and education outcomes.

During a Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee hearing on May 26, Price said several “Closing the Gap” targets were offtrack despite an alleged $22 billion of government funds being spent over five years.