Closing the Gap deadline looms as new spending targets remote jobs, clinics and food security

With just a handful of national targets currently tracking toward the 2031 deadline, the Federal Government has announced a fresh package of measures aimed at lifting outcomes under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The measures span remote employment, community-controlled health infrastructure, food security, maternal care, short-term accommodation and crisis support. The new commitments come as the next update on national progress shows a mixed picture: some indicators are improving, while others are stalled or going backwards, depending on the target and the jurisdiction.

A central plank of the package is an expansion of paid jobs in remote communities through the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program. The plan is to lift the number of positions to 6,000 by 2030, with funding allocated to support the expansion over several years.

In health, the package includes funding to upgrade and repair Aboriginal community-controlled clinics and related buildings. There are also commitments tied to maternal and newborn health through Birthing on Country programs, alongside funding for short-term hostel-style accommodation intended to support people who need to travel away from home for essential services.

Food affordability and resilience also feature strongly. The package includes funding to expand a subsidy scheme for essential grocery items in eligible remote stores, along with support for upgraded food storage so more stores can better withstand disruptions linked to extreme weather and supply chain delays.

Alongside the program measures, the government has pointed to recent health funding agreements involving states and territories that include a dedicated allocation for Indigenous health.

The overall direction of travel is clear: more money into services and a stronger emphasis on First Nations leadership and community-controlled delivery. Whether that translates into faster progress will be judged against the targets and the lived experience behind them.