Protecting the world’s oldest living culture is a responsibility that belongs to all of us.
We asked Newcastle Anglican Reverend Canon and Director of Reconciliation Dianne Langham to answer some questions about National Close the Gap Day.
Held annually on the third Thursday in March, the date is used as an opportunity to send our governments a clear message ‘that Australians value health equality as a fundamental right for all’.
On the day, Australians are encouraged to host an activity in their workplace, home, community or school, to show support for the goal of achieving health equality for First Nations Peoples by 2032.
More than 250,000 people have participated in National Close the Gap Day events across the country since its inception in April 2007.
Overall, only four of the 19 national targets are on track to be met.
They are early childhood education, employment, land rights and sea rights.
“The biggest problem about Closing the Gap is that it is the government of the day deciding what should be concentrated on rather than allowing our people to plan our own healing,” Aunty Di says.
“Most issues can be solved by better housing, access to healthcare – both mental and physical, better housing, education and meaningful employment.”
Incarceration
Aunty Di believes government funding could be better spent on preventative measures, rather than costly repairs.
“It costs approximately $150,000 to incarcerate a child for one year,” she explains.
“An adult is similar. We make up around 60% in the juvenile sector and 38% in the adult sector and yet we are only 3% of the population.
“Wouldn’t it make more sense, and be better economic practice, to spend that money in the community addressing the issues that lead to this behaviour?
“I believe rather than incarcerating teens, money could be better spent on places of training and education for them.”
Housing
Housing is another issue that concerns the Lake Macquarie grandmother.
“The houses that are being built for our people don’t suit their needs,” she says.
“When there is an uproar following pictures of houses where there are 16 people living in a three-bedroom house, the is because our people are being judged with the lens others are used to.
“My house has had nine people living in it when it was a two-bedroom house.”
Change
“I believe if the Voice referendum had been a ‘Yes’ then First Nations people would have been able to voice change. Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be.
“Closing the Gap is currently government-led and that does not work for the Indigenous community.
“My hope is that this will change for the future.”
For more on this topic:
Newcastle Anglican’s commitment to First Nations Peoples
