Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: key indicators 2009

Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (2009)
Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: key indicators 2009.
Canberra: Productivity Commission

Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage 2009 is the fourth report in a series commissioned by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2002, to provide regular reporting against key indicators of Indigenous disadvantage. The intention is to inform Australian governments whether policy programs and interventions are achieving positive outcomes for Indigenous people and to guide further work where needed. The Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision consulted widely with Indigenous organisations, governments and researchers in developing the report and the indicator framework. The terms of reference were updated in 2009 to reaffirm the government’s commitment to being accountable for improved outcomes for Indigenous Australians and to serve as a public report card on the progress against COAG targets and significant indicators.

The framework includes COAG’s six high level targets for Closing the Gap in Indigenous outcomes. They are:

• Life expectancy
• Young child mortality
• Early childhood education
• Reading writing and numeracy
• Year 12 attainment
• Employment

Headline indicators, previously developed by the Steering Committee through consultations are:

• Post secondary education – participation and attainment
• Disability and chronic disease
• Household and individual income
• Substantiated child abuse and neglect
• Family and community violence
• Imprisonment and juvenile detention

Strategic areas for action are outlined in the report and guidance offered for where further work is needed to overcome Indigenous disadvantage.

• Further information:
  • View report
  • View website: Productivity Commission
  • Indigenous report ‘highlights policy failings’
    View media release: ABC (6 July 2009)
  • ‘Bureaucracy to blame’ for Indigenous gap
    View media release: ABC (5 July 2009)
  • Overcrowding the key to Indigenous disadvantage: NT Shelter
    View media release: ABC (5 July 2009)
  • Abbott blames all governments for Indigenous gap
    View media release: ABC (3 July 2009)
  • Calma wants new approach to Indigenous issues
    View media release: ABC (3 July 2009)
  • Damning report: Indigenous gap grows
    View media release: ABC (3 July 2009)
  • Grog key to Indigenous problems: Macklin
    View media release: ABC (3 July 2009)
  • Indigenous disadvantage findings ‘sickening’
    View media release: ABC (3 July 2009)
  • Saying ‘sorry’ not enough: Brough
    View media release: ABC (3 July 2009)
  • Abbott blames all governments for Indigenous gap
    View media release: ABC (2 July 2009)
  • Indigenous gap ‘hardens our resolve’
    View media release: ABC (2 July 2009)
  • Indigenous gap ‘widening, not closing’
    View media release: ABC (2 July 2009)
  • Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: latest data
    View media release: Productivity Commission (2 July 2009)
  • Report highlights need for things to be done differently
    View media release: Australian Human Rights Commission (2 July 2009)
  • Torres Strait Islanders fare better than Aboriginal people
    View media release: ABC (2 July 2009)
• Contact details:
  • Printed copies of the report can be purchased from Canprint Communications, ph: 1300 889 873, fax: (02) 6293 8333, email: sales@infoservices.com.au. For ordering, the purchase code needs to be quoted. Full report purchase code: PRODCOM-9805-2009, overview booklet purchase code: PRODCOM-9813-2009.
    View order form: Productivity Commission
  • Melbourne: Level 28, 35 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, postal address: Locked Bag 2, Collins St East Melbourne VIC 8003, ph: (03) 9653 2100, fax: (03) 9653 2199, Freecall: 1800 020 083, Telephone Typewriter (TTY): 1800 803 344.
  • Canberra: Level 2, 15 Moore Street, Canberra City ACT 2600, postal address: GPO Box 1428, Canberra City, CT 2601, ph: (02) 6240 3200, fax: (02) 6240 3399, Freecall: 1800 020 083, Telephone Typewriter (TTY): 1800 803 344.