This paper examines the persistent challenges in addressing disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, despite substantial investment in Aboriginal affairs and initiatives like the Closing the Gap agreements since 2008. It highlights the shift from evaluating government spending to emphasising 'shared decision-making' and partnerships, exemplified by the Productivity Commission's move towards more meetings, rather than robust evaluations.

While initiatives like the National Agreement on Closing the Gap aim to tackle entrenched inequality, the focus has shifted towards collaborations with Indigenous organisations, rather than assessing program effectiveness. The paper critiques this shift, noting limitations such as incomplete evaluations and a tendency to alter measures of success to fit political objectives. It points out examples like the Community Development Program, where measures are adjusted when outcomes don't align with desired results. The paper underscores the need for genuine evaluation and accountability in Indigenous policy, suggesting that current approaches may hinder meaningful progress.