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Australia has reached a major milestone with 95% of First Nations children enrolled in early childhood education. However, the government acknowledges that other critical targets, such as incarceration and suicide rates, continue to worsen.
Why it matters
Reflects the ongoing challenges and mixed progress in government efforts to address systemic inequality for Indigenous populations.
One of the 19 Closing the Gap targets has officially been reached after early childhood education enrolment for First Nations children hit 95% across the country.
Released by the Productivity Commission today, the annual data compilation report showed an increase from 61.3% enrolments in 2016 (the baseline year), to hitting the 95% mark across every state and territory today.
The minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy , said although it was a “significant milestone”, state and territory governments should to “back in” their commitments as other targets continued to worsen.
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