Indigenous leaders say there must be consequences after only four out of 19 targets on track to close the gap

5 months ago

The latest data shows only four of 19 targets are on track when it comes to closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The rate of children behind bars is also soaring in parts of the country, as critics warn tough-on-crime policies are hurting vulnerable kids.

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00:00On Arrindar Country, near Alice Springs, the Bush Mob Community Outreach Program is helping

00:07kids as young as 10.

00:10The system itself is not good, but we keep trying to work within it and doing our best.

00:16The NT government has made sweeping changes to its youth justice system in the last year,

00:21which it says puts victims first and holds serious offenders to account.

00:26Bush Mob says tough on crime policies don't work.

00:30We like to go, this is a justice problem, this is a mental health problem, this is an

00:35AOD problem, an alcohol and other drug problem.

00:38That's not how anything works.

00:41Everything is linked together.

00:43The latest data shows the Northern Territory has gone backwards on eight Closing the Gap

00:47targets, including youth detention.

00:50You can't actually arrest your way out of an issue.

00:54In a statement, a spokesperson for the NT Corrections Minister said,

00:58The Northern Territory government is redirecting its focus towards interventions that address

01:03the underlying causes of offending behaviour.

01:05Nationally, there has been some progress on Closing the Gap, with four targets on track

01:11to meet the 2031 deadline – preschool program enrolments, employment and land and sea rights.

01:18But four targets are going backwards – adult incarceration, children in and out of home care,

01:24suicide and childhood development.

01:26There needs to be consequences for not closing the gap, otherwise don't take the money.

01:34The Senate today passing Senator Thorpe's condolence motion for the family of Walbury

01:39man Kumin J. White, who died in custody earlier this year.

01:45This is a reminder of the devastation and the trauma that we all have to endure as black people

01:52in this country.

01:53As the grim numbers rise, so do the voices calling for change.

01:57Mr. White, where are you going?

02:02Mr. White, where are you, going?

02:06Mr. White, I think you're getting a-

02:12Mr. White, I think you're getting-

Indigenous leaders say there must be consequences after only four out of 19 targets on track to close the gap

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