Close the Gap or Game the System? Indigenous Affairs Australia

Australia’s landmark Close the Gap initiative is a powerful promise: to dramatically improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

But after years of commitment, only five of its 19 targets are currently on track, with critical outcomes such as incarceration rates and child removals worsening, not improving.

Recent events like the Australian Government’s plan to close the disparity gaps through economic development in Indigenous Affairs and the controversial case of Hayley Terei (who allegedly lied about her Aboriginal heritage to access more lenient bail terms), highlight a troubling issue: identity fraud.

And such cases aren’t isolated – they point to a broader vulnerability in the system, one where resources intended for those genuinely in need risk being diverted by impostors.

But unlike Canada, which recently made history by convicting Karima Manji for fraudulently claiming Inuit heritage, Australia has yet to prosecute a single case of Indigenous identity fraud.

So why are we lagging behind in protecting the integrity of these vital programs when the government isn’t making any progress closing the disparity gaps?

Because if we want to see genuine progress, isn’t it crucial that the resources reach the right people?

Unless the people profiting from Indigenous disadvantage don’t really want progress… maybe they are happy with their high-paying government jobs or business contracts that are making them millions.

⚫🟡🔴Policy into Profit $$$

• Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) – billions given, with the majority (and larger contracts) going to a small group.
• Jobs – being taken up primarily by non-Indigenous Australians, and Johnny-come-latelys who’ve probably experienced no disadvantage… for example, according to National Indigenous Australians Agency latest report, with employee expense (p51) of $215.9 million…
• Housing / Business loans – how many from Indigenous Business Australia are going to grassroots First Nations people?

“At 30 June 2024, the NIAA had 1,536 employees… 25 per cent identify* as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.” – NIAA Annual Report 2023-24, page 41

• *keyword here is “identify“… do some also identify as Pretendians?
• Employee wages – 75% of $215.9 million is $161.925 million for non-Indigenous staff… and how much is being spent on non-Indigenous organisations / people via NIAA’s grant funding programs…?