Govind Tekale
The biggest loss due to the arrival of modern civilization is the regression of aboriginal people or ‘Adivasis’ all over the world. An example of this phenomenon is the struggle between two aboriginal communities in the state of Manipur, India. However, an organized effort is being made in Australia to focus the attention of the world on the problems of aboriginal people, which is observed as “Close the Gap Day”.
‘Close the Gap Day’ is organized annually on the third Thursday of March. This year the day was celebrated on Mar 20, 2025. The purpose of the celebration is to advocate for health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The campaign which began in 2007, was inspired by Professor Tom Calma’s 2005 Justice Report.
The report rightly pointed out the huge disparity between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people regarding health progress. This gap is to be filled by concerted efforts of both governmental and non-governmental agencies. That is why National Close the Gap Day is observed every year.
The theme of this year’s National Close the Gap Day was “Agency and Self-determination, Leadership and Solidarity, and Reform and Transformation“. It emphasized “the pivotal role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities continue to play in embedding the four Priority Reform Areas outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.” The four Priority Reforms discussed are: Formal Partnerships and Shared Decision Making, Building the Community Controlled Sector, Transforming Government Organisations, and Shared Access to Data and Information at a Regional Level.
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Indigenous Australians are twice as likely to die from preventable diseases compared to non-Indigenous people. Also, infant mortality rates among them are higher as compared to non-indigenous people. The purpose of Close the Gap Day is to make people aware of this gap.
The release of Close the Gap report at the Aborigines Advancement League in Melbourne was a significant event. Another historic milestone is the establishment of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. It is a right step towards improving the health of aboriginal children.
Katie Kiss, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner stated that they have been clear on articulating on where and how the implementation of the national government is failing. “We call out Governments regarding their inability to comprehensively deliver the objectives of the national agreement”, she said during the 2025 Close the Gap launch.
The National Close the Gap Day celebration was marked by workplace events, public gatherings and rallies. It also included signing the pledge and donating for the cause of overall progress of aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.
In short, Close the Gap Day is observed every year on the third Thursday of March to focus on the disparities between Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and Non-Aboriginal people of Australia. The goal is to close the gap between the living standards of these two communities by 2032.
The Day is observed through public gatherings, school programs, and workplace events. Both government and non-governmental agencies are geared to meet the deadline of 2031. If not, a strife like the situation in Manipur, India, can be expected in this island nation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Close the Gap Day
Close the Gap Day is an annual event held on the third Thursday of March that aims to raise awareness about the health inequality faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. It brings attention to the gap in health outcomes and life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and calls for action to address these disparities.
The Close the Gap campaign began in 2007, inspired by Professor Tom Calma’s 2005 Justice Report. This report highlighted the significant health disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Australia. The day was established to advocate for health equality and encourage both government and non-government organizations to work together to address these issues.
The theme for 2025’s Close the Gap Day was “Agency and Self-determination, Leadership and Solidarity, and Reform and Transformation.” This theme emphasizes the important role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities play in implementing the four Priority Reform Areas outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The four Priority Reform Areas outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap are:
- Formal Partnerships and Shared Decision Making
- Building the Community Controlled Sector
- Transforming Government Organizations
- Shared Access to Data and Information at a Regional Level
These reforms aim to create meaningful change by empowering Indigenous communities and improving coordination between various stakeholders.
Close the Gap Day addresses several health disparities, including the fact that Indigenous Australians are twice as likely to die from preventable diseases compared to non-Indigenous people. It also highlights higher infant mortality rates among Indigenous communities. The initiative aims to raise awareness of these issues and work toward solutions that will improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
People can participate in Close the Gap Day through various activities:
- Attending workplace events, public gatherings, and rallies
- Signing the pledge to support health equality
- Making donations to organizations working to improve the lives of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders
- Organizing or participating in school programs focused on Indigenous issues
- Learning about and sharing information on Indigenous health challenges
These activities help raise awareness and build momentum toward closing the gap in health outcomes.
The goal of the Close the Gap initiative is to eliminate the disparities in living standards between Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Aboriginal Australians by 2032. This includes addressing gaps in health outcomes, life expectancy, education, employment, and other key areas that affect quality of life.
Recent progress includes the establishment of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, which is an important step toward improving the health of Indigenous children. Additionally, the annual release of the Close the Gap report helps track progress and hold governments accountable for meeting the initiative’s goals.
