Today, one day after the eleventh anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations, the Prime Minister handed down his Close the Gap report – highlighting another year of stalled progress on this critical national project.

The report reminds us of the little progress we have made in addressing the structural inequalities facing First Nations peoples.
 
While we are pleased to see improvements in early childhood and Year 12 retention, we cannot deny the reality: only two targets out of seven are on track. As a nation, this is an indictment upon us all.
 
First Nations people are frustrated, as is Labor. The Abbott- Turnbull- Morrison Government’s delay and dysfunction has no justification.
  
The targets have not failed. Governments have failed. It is our collective failure to not match well-intentioned rhetoric with action.
 
While a refresh of the Close the Gap framework is necessary, and we welcome the government new commitment to working in partnership with First Nations people, we cannot ignore the fact that until now, the government has failed to adequately engage with First Nations people.  
 
If the government is truly committed to ensuring First Nations people have a say in matter that affect them, then they should immediately reverse their opposition to a constitutionally enshrined Voice for First Nations people.
 
The government has also failed to provide national bipartisan leadership on the refresh process. Labor was not consulted at any point in this process.
 
Whether it’s Close the Gap, the Community Development Program, the Indigenous Advancement Strategy or Constitutional Recognition, this government has constantly pursued flawed policies and failed to engage with First Nations people in their design or implementation.
 
Paternalism does not work. First Nations peoples must have a say in the matters that affect their lives and policies must be co-designed with full free and prior informed consent. This is how we achieve self-determination and properly address the substantial and structural inequality facing First Nations peoples. This is how we close the gap.
 
If Labor is elected at the next election, a Voice for First Nations people, enshrined in our constitution, will be our first priority for constitutional reform. Business as usual is no longer an option. Only when First Nations people have a permanent and ongoing say in the issues that affect their lives, will we ever close the gap.