Latest news with #ClosingtheGap
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Death in custody case under scrutiny as ministers meet
An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
TimesLIVE
12-06-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
New clinic launched for taxi drivers in Orange Farm
NPO Rhiza Babuyile and the Gauteng health department have launched a new healthcare facility, Mpathy Clinic, in Orange Farm, Johannesburg, tackling health issues affecting taxi drivers. The clinic was launched in partnership with the Orange Farm United Taxi Association (Ofuta). Rhiza healthcare manager Lerato Seheri said the initiative was influenced by the difficulty taxi drivers face in going to clinics due to their tight schedules. 'Taxi drivers avoid going to a clinic because their working conditions don't allow them the time to wait in long queues,' Seheri said. 'With this new service, they'll get treatment fast. Quick in and out, no long lines. It's a quality service built around their reality. The clinic is tailor-made to suit their busy schedules and their pockets. It meets them where they are and provides them with care without disrupting their day.' The consultation fee will be between R100 and R300. Seheri said the initiative aligns with the government's 'Closing the Gap' Art Campaign, which aims to initiate and retain 1.1-million people on antiretroviral therapy (Art) by December to achieve the 95-95-95 HIV targets. Beyond HIV, she said the clinic would deal with general health issues affecting men. 'There's a broader challenge — men's health in general and how we link men to healthcare services effectively. Men are far less likely than women to engage routine health services and that gap often leads to late diagnoses of preventable or manageable conditions. With this clinic, we're addressing this gap.' HIV, Aids, sexually transmitted infections and TB (Hast) programme manager, Mmakobo Gaegake, shared Seheri's sentiments, emphasising the need for a healthcare facility for taxi drivers. 'The launch of the clinic in the taxi rank will assist in bringing health services to the busiest point in Orange Farm. Taxi drivers will work, access health services and continue with their day-to-day life. The clinic will promote healthy living in disadvantaged communities.' Ofuta welcomed the initiative. 'We're happy to see this clinic open. It's something our drivers have needed for a long time. They work long hours, always on the move, and often don't get the chance to look after their health. Rhiza Babuyile and the department of health heard and saw us and they delivered. This helps not just taxi drivers but everyone who counts on us to keep moving,' said the association's spokesperson Monty Motsopa.
Sydney Morning Herald
29-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Half of NSW's $222 million spend had no ‘tangible output', audit finds
NSW taxpayers spent $222 million on measures to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians but less than half led to tangible outcomes for First Nations people, a damning audit has found. The report, released on Thursday by NSW Auditor-General Bola Oyetunji, found the premier's department had inadequate oversight and a 'passive approach' to monitoring how state funding for Closing the Gap measures were being spent. The 2022 NSW budget included $222 million to deliver programs and initiatives under the Closing the Gap national agreement signed in 2020, to cover four years until 2024. But only 38 per cent of the 142 initiatives funded had a 'tangible output' in the form of grants or direct funding to improve outcomes for Indigenous people. A further 49 per cent delivered reviews or frameworks 'without clarity on how this would contribute to an outcome', the audit found. 'Some individual projects conducted under the National Agreement have established effective partnerships and are beginning to demonstrate positive results,' Oyetunji concluded. 'However … governance arrangements do not provide adequate oversight of delivery.' Loading The auditor-general questioned a $9 million government grant given to the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO) to hire 22 full-time staff across the eight peak bodies it represents. When Oyetunji's office requested an update on the funding, neither the government nor NSW CAPO could say how many of the positions had been filled. NSW CAPO did not respond to specific questions about the grant. Co-chair Charles Lynch welcomed the report's recommendations as 'a chance to strengthen how we work – both internally and in partnership'.
The Age
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Half of NSW's $222 million spend had no ‘tangible output', audit finds
NSW taxpayers spent $222 million on measures to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians but less than half led to tangible outcomes for First Nations people, a damning audit has found. The report, released on Thursday by NSW Auditor-General Bola Oyetunji, found the premier's department had inadequate oversight and a 'passive approach' to monitoring how state funding for Closing the Gap measures were being spent. The 2022 NSW budget included $222 million to deliver programs and initiatives under the Closing the Gap national agreement signed in 2020, to cover four years until 2024. But only 38 per cent of the 142 initiatives funded had a 'tangible output' in the form of grants or direct funding to improve outcomes for Indigenous people. A further 49 per cent delivered reviews or frameworks 'without clarity on how this would contribute to an outcome', the audit found. 'Some individual projects conducted under the National Agreement have established effective partnerships and are beginning to demonstrate positive results,' Oyetunji concluded. 'However … governance arrangements do not provide adequate oversight of delivery.' Loading The auditor-general questioned a $9 million government grant given to the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO) to hire 22 full-time staff across the eight peak bodies it represents. When Oyetunji's office requested an update on the funding, neither the government nor NSW CAPO could say how many of the positions had been filled. NSW CAPO did not respond to specific questions about the grant. Co-chair Charles Lynch welcomed the report's recommendations as 'a chance to strengthen how we work – both internally and in partnership'.
Sky News AU
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Govt agency calls for ‘urgent' action as NSW prison population swells to five-year high amid alarming Indigenous incarceration rates
A New South Wales government agency is calling for "urgent" sweeping changes to address inmate numbers as the state's prison population swells to a five-year high. The total number of adults within correctional facilities across the state reached 13,103 in March, the highest since March 2020, a report released on Wednesday revealed. A steep decline in prisoner numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by a relatively stable period, but inmate levels have been rising steadily over the past 18 months. The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) quarterly report said the number of adults incarcerated in NSW has spiked by 1,055 people, or 8.8 per cent, since November 2023. BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said while the 'overall' prison population remains below pre-pandemic levels, the number of Aboriginal inmates now 'well exceeds' levels in 2019 and 'continues to grow'. The report said the increase is due to a surge in Aboriginal remandees, who are unconvicted prisoners awaiting court hearings. The number of Indigenous remandees rose by 63 per cent in the five years to March 2025, with domestic violence allegations accounting for a large part of the increase in Aboriginal adults being remanded, it said. 'These figures underscore the urgent need to consider policies, interventions and practice changes to reduce Aboriginal incarceration, as current trends contradict the Closing the Gap commitment to reduce Aboriginal over-representation in the criminal justice system by at least 15% by 2031,' Ms Fitzgerald said. The Closing the Gap commitments includes reducing the rate of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention facilities by 30 per cent by 2031. BOSCAR's quarterly update said there were 4,244 Aboriginal prisoners in NSW as of March this year, who represented 32 per cent of the state's total adult inmates. There had been an increase of 520 Aboriginal inmates, or 14 per cent, since November 2023, while the number of non-Aboriginal prisoners was up by 359 people, or 4.3 per cent, over the same period.
