CLOSING THE GAP

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CHAPTER 2 / INFANCY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD A healthy start to life sets the foundations throughout the early years, giving children the best chance of succeeding at school and going on to follow their dreams throughout life. Evidence shows investment in the early years is one of the best ways to improve disadvantage over the longer term. “There is quite a significant gap in the access to childhood services that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids have… we’re trying to close that gap.” Kalwun Programme Manager Kirby Taylor Cultural Learning at Kalwun, QLD The Kalwun Early Learning Program delivers cultural connections within an early childhood learning environment. It aims to develop ‘strong’ children, through building both strong communities and a culturally strong education program. The program prepares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children for their first year of formal schooling and builds a sense of cultural pride, incorporating local Indigenous language in daily activities. •22• CLOSING THE GAP: PRIME MINISTER'S REPORT 2017
“There are many ways of knowing and learning. I am keen to help encourage Indigenous children to find their voice through the power of music whilst strengthening an understanding about Indigenous ways of knowledge transfer.” Deborah Cheetham AO CHILD MORTALITY Target: Halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five within a decade (by 2018). KEY POINTS • The target to halve the gap in child mortality by 2018 is not on track this year. • However, over the longer term, Indigenous child mortality rates have declined and the gap has narrowed (between 1998 and 2015). • There have been improvements in recent years in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers not smoking during pregnancy and a lower proportion of babies born with low birthweight. • Better integration of services across health, child care, early childhood education and school will result in better access to the right services. WHAT THE DATA TELLS US For the most part, the child mortality target has been on track in previous years. However, Figure 1 (over page) shows that the 2015 Indigenous child mortality rate was slightly outside the range required for this target to be on track this year. In part, the Indigenous child mortality trend has changed for this reporting period due to an improvement in the quality of Indigenous identification. 1 Any death of an infant or child is a tragedy. The relatively small numbers involved result in fluctuations in the Indigenous child mortality rate each year. The 2015 result highlights this volatility which was only slightly outside of the range for the target. 2 That said, an increase in the number of deaths is always of concern and reminds us that there is no room for complacency about this target. The small numbers involved means this target is within our reach with continued focus. Over the long-term (1998 to 2015), the Indigenous child mortality rate declined significantly (by 33 per cent). There was also a significant narrowing (31 per cent) of the child mortality gap. In the short-term, the decline in Indigenous child mortality rates between 2008 and 2015 was not statistically significant. • Intensive support for the children and families who need it most will ensure children have a good start to life. 1 For 2015 data, the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages included Medical Certificate of Cause of Death information for the first time to contribute to the Indigenous status data item. This was associated with a decrease in the number of deaths for which the Indigenous status was 'not stated' and an increase in the number of deaths identified as Indigenous in Queensland. Although the Indigenous child mortality rate was higher in Queensland in 2015, for New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia the rates were lower in 2015 than in 2014. This change in method means that time series data are not directly comparable and caution should be used in interpreting the trend. 2 In 2015, there were 124 Indigenous child deaths. This was four deaths outside the range of the target and an increase of six deaths since 2014. CLOSING THE GAP: PRIME MINISTER'S REPORT 2017 •23•
Page 1 and 2: CLOSING THE GAP PRIME MINISTER’S
Page 3 and 4: CLOSING THE GAP: PRIME MINISTER'S R
Page 5 and 6: CONTENTS PRIME MINISTER’S INTRODU
Page 7 and 8: “It is clear that Closing the Gap
Page 9 and 10: The target to close the gap in life
Page 13 and 14: “We have to hope, not despair - w
Page 15 and 16: Ian Trust, founding chairperson Wun
Page 17 and 18: “In Australia we’re fortunate t
Page 19 and 20: The importance of land and waters C
Page 21 and 22: Reconciliation through national ico
Page 23: “I am very passionate about cultu
Page 27 and 28: Figure 2: Child mortality rates (0-
Page 29 and 30: Devina Ranger with her children Har
Page 31 and 32: In 2015, almost all Indigenous chil
Page 35 and 36: 2 Gumala supporting early childhood
Page 37 and 38: “There is no place in any educati
Page 39 and 40: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island
Page 41 and 42: Another way to assess progress is t
Page 43 and 44: Table 1: NAPLAN measures (on track/
Page 45 and 46: YEAR 12 ATTAINMENT Having literacy
Page 47 and 48: Students of the Saibai Island State
Page 49 and 50: Much work has already been done to
Page 51 and 52: “The Horizons Camp has helped wit
Page 53 and 54: “I now want to begin my studies a
Page 55 and 56: “Through one life-changing job pl
Page 57 and 58: and is therefore, on track. In all
Page 59 and 60: Labour force participation For the
Page 61 and 62: Indigenous youth Daniel McKechnie m
Page 63 and 64: Australians. Participating companie
Page 65 and 66: Parks Australia and Traditional Own
Page 67 and 68: “Stick to it, it’s worth it and
Page 69 and 70: “My long-term aspiration is to be
Page 71 and 72: Truwana Rangers from Cape Barren Is
Page 73 and 74: “Fostering economic development i
Page 75 and 76:
“We work closely with our local r
Page 77 and 78:
Economic growth on country Indigeno
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“By encouraging Indigenous busine
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Wik Timber Collect Seed Salvage Har
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“It’s time to move away from th
Page 85 and 86:
that selected social determinants s
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Improving cancer outcomes for Abori
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Supporting ageing in the community
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Young Marra woman from Borroloola,
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2 Holistic approach to health care
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2 3 Kicking goals in Borroloola, NT
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“To be the great nation we can be
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• National Rental Affordability S
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Prisoner Throughcare program suppor
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2 Community construction rebuilds G
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“It’s these sorts of actions th
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Agency Education and Training Depar
Page 109 and 110:
Agency Indigenous Land Corporation
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Lloyd, N., Lewthwaite, B., Osbourne
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