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Opening the cracks on Closing the Gap
The level of spending committed to indigenous disadvantage does not have a hope of delivering on the Government's election promise to close the gap, according to the Australian Greens.
"I'm dismayed that despite the rhetoric from the Government on Closing the Gap, the commitment of funds in this budget simply won't do it," said Senator Rachel Siewert.
"The Government commitment amounts to additional expenditure of $250 million per year to address Closing the Gap. This is a small percentage of the $450 million needed each year to address Indigenous health alone, and a far cry from what is needed to fix the overall problem."
"We are not seeing a strategic, co-ordinated approach at all - this is nothing more than piecemeal programs which fail to address the key underlining causes," said Senator Siewert.
"A large slice of the allocation is being taken up by continuing the inefficient and expensive Howard Government's agenda. The Northern Territory Intervention is still causing huge problems for communities and huge resources are being put into administration rather than services."
"Overall, this is extremely disappointing from a Government with such strong rhetoric on Closing the Gap," she concluded.
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For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025 or email senator.siewert@aph.gov.au
