Close the Gap
The Close the Gap campaign, which Oxfam helped to launch more than a decade ago, is testament to the Australian public’s overwhelming support for improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We’ve played a lead role in transforming the Close the Gap campaign for Indigenous Health Equality from a popular movement into a force that has shaped government policy and continues to do so by elevating the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
Oxfam works together with a broad coalition of health and human rights organisations to call on political leaders to take action to Close the Gap, and to hold them to account. Oxfam has funded an annual review of progress on closing the gap, with the 2022 report highlighting the role of “voice” to transform the power dynamics and drive the policy change that is needed.
NATIONAL CLOSE THE GAP DAY
National Close the Gap Day is way of celebrating success of Aboriginal people and their health services, while calling on government to do its bit. More information about Closing the Gap Day events here: https://closethegap.org.au/
Join more than 250,000 people who have taken action for Indigenous health equality on Nation Close the Gap Day. Your actions can create lasting change. Be part of the generation who closes the gap.
This National Close the Gap Day, we have an opportunity to send our governments a clear message that Australians value health equality as a fundamental right for all.
What we’re campaigning for
The Close the Gap Coalition — a grouping of more than 50 Indigenous and non-Indigenous health and community organisations — together with more than 250,000 Australians, are calling on governments to take real, measurable action to achieve Indigenous health equality by 2030.
With your support, we are asking for:
- Commit to 10-year funding to achieve the new targets set as part of the revised Closing the Gap strategy
- Invest in Indigenous health on a needs basis. The needs of First Australians are akin to that of older people—they have a higher incidence of illness and therefore greater need. But the government only spends 38 per cent more on Indigenous people even though their needs are 2.3 times greater.
- Fully cost and fund the Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan (2013-2023).
- Ensure that Aboriginal community-controlled health services (ACCHOs) are the preferred model for government investment in primary health care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Commit to providing adequate and long-term financial resources including strengthening of the Indigenous health workforce.
- Address critical social issues that impact Indigenous health (including poor housing, nutrition, employment and education).
- Meaningful partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and health services.
FAQs
What is Close the Gap?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have some of the poorest health outcomes of any group of people in the world. On average, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples die more than 10 years younger than other Australians.
Despite the efforts of many organisations like Oxfam and tens of thousands of people like you, the gap between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous people’s life expectancy is widening not closing. This needs to be turned around with decisive action and clear commitments from our political leaders.
The Indigenous led Close the Gap campaign aims to achieve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality by 2030. Learn more about why the health gap exists.
How long has Close the Gap been running?
The Close the Gap campaign launched in 2006, when Tom Calma, the then Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, released his report highlighting the appalling gap in life expectancy and health standards in Australia. He then called on a number of Aboriginal, health and human rights organisations (including Oxfam) to join together in a coalition to form the Close the Gap campaign.
In 2007, Cathy Freeman & Ian Thorpe publicly launched the campaign at Olympic Stadium, Homebush.
In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and opposition leader Brendan Nelson signed the Close the Gap Statement of Intent, committing future federal governments to work towards closing the gap.
What is the National Close the Gap Day?
National Close the Gap Day (NCTGD) is a national day of action to pledge support for achieving Indigenous health equality by 2030. Over 250,000 people have participated in National Close the Gap Day events right across the country. From the Kimberley to Kyogle, from Maningrida to the Mornington Peninsula.
NCTGD provides us with an opportunity to come together in our workplaces, homes and communities right across the country to share information — and most importantly — to take meaningful action in support of achieving Indigenous health equality by 2030.
On NCTGD we celebrate the resilience, innovation and success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and we demand further meaningful action from our Governments.
With continued support from the public, we can ensure the Australian Government continues to work with Indigenous communities, commit additional funding and invest in real partnerships.
What role does Oxfam play in NCGTD?
Oxfam had the privilege of running National Close the Gap Day on behalf of the broader CTG coalition for ten years up until 2019. In that time, we saw this event grow to become the biggest Indigenous health event on the calendar. It has mobilised hundreds of thousands of people across every corner of Australia to increase their awareness and take action for health equality.
National Close the Gap is more important than ever. The health and life expectancy gap in Australia is widening and only concerted pressure from the Australian community can make the Government take real action to close the gap.
Is Oxfam still involved in Close the Gap?
YES! Oxfam is a founding member of the Close the Gap campaign and we continue to work closely with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous partners to advocate for community-led tangible solutions to Close the life expectancy and health gap.
How do I get involved with National Close the Gap Day?
National Close the Gap Day has a new online home. You can find everything you need for NCTGD here.
For inquiries, there is a Contact Page here.
