To address the widening life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians, this report identifies three priority areas that must be addressed.

Ten-years after its commencement, it is time to critically reflect on why Australian governments have not yet succeeded in closing the health gap to date, and why they will not succeed by 2030 if the current course continues.

Executive summary

In March 2008, the Australian Government and Opposition committed to the Close the Gap Campaign’s blueprint for closing the health equality gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians – the Close the Gap Statement of Intent.