The 3rd annual report on Closing The Gap between indigenous and white Australians has been released.
The Prime Minister in Parliament appealed to indigenous people to change their behaviour to help themselves attain equality especially life expectancy. She rejected the “soft bigotry of low expectations.”
She made “a call to every person to every family to every community: to take care of your children; to take a job when you find one; to create a safe environment; to send your kids to school pay your rent save up for a home; to respect good social norms and to respect the law; and to reach out to other Australians. If I speak strongly it is because I have listened to indigenous people who do these things already. People like Chris Sarra. People like Noel Pearson.”
Immunisation rates and general healthcare literacy and numeracy Year 12 completion rates employment and early education for 4-year-olds have improved. The targets to halve infant mortality rates by 2018 were on track. But more needs to be done.
Fathers who set examples of strength and gentleness to their sons and mothers who feed their children and send them to school are applauded.
Once again the relevance to our local community here is unknown.