Doubling the number of remote jobs and expanding the low-cost food subsidy scheme for remote communities are some of the suite of measures the federal government will announce on Thursday when it presents the latest Closing the Gap report.
As the Coalition navigates its second leadership contest in less than nine months, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will table the report in Parliament, which shows only four targets on track and another six improving.
Several key indicators continue to stall or worsen, with the Prime Minister using his address to acknowledge the work still ahead.
"We are clear about where there is more to do," Mr Albanese will say in a speech seen by National Indigenous Times.
"We must also guard against talk of failure. Because talk of failure dismisses the aspirations and achievements of Indigenous Australians. It ignores the leaders and communities who are changing lives.
"Failure is a word for those who have stopped trying — or given up listening. I make this clear today: I am not contemplating failure. Our Government is not contemplating failure."
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Scott Wilson, Deputy Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations already have proven solutions. He has previously been critical of governments locking up children as young as ten — something which continues unabated across the country.
"Our people and organisations have the knowledge and trust of their communities and that is exactly what's needed to drive real, lasting change," he said.
"We're pleased that the government is working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to design, lead and deliver the new and expanded programs announced today, and we hope to see continued investment in the Aboriginal community-controlled sector."
Worsening areas
Of the areas where progress has stalled or worsened, suicide remains a major tragedy, with Indigenous people two and a half times more likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous people.
"So often amidst the grief, loved ones return to the heartbreaking question: how did it come to this?" Mr Albanese will ask.
The government has announced a $13.9 million boost for the 13YARN crisis support line; a crisis counselling service designed and led by First Nations people.
While noting that many suicides occur in the context of deaths in custody, the Prime Minister has defended states and territories pursuing their own law-and-order policies — even where these conflict with Closing the Gap commitments — saying they "have every right to put the safety of their communities first".
"No one is making excuses for crime, but we cannot ignore its causes," he will say.
"That is why our Government is investing in prevention, not just punishment — particularly for young people. Because we know justice reinvestment works."
The government's approach has drawn criticism from experts who argue the Commonwealth has been too lenient on jurisdictions that disregard the agreement. Several have told National Indigenous Times the agreement is not worth the paper it is written on when jurisdictions continue to flaunt it — often openly.
"Thirty-five years after that historic Royal Commission, the hard truth is that no government from either side of politics has done enough," Mr Albanese says.
"No one should grow up imagining that prison is a rite of passage. And as a society, our definition of justice must be measured by more than the capacity of our jails."
Economic prosperity
Thursday's announcements focus heavily on economic participation. The Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program (RJED), which the government says has already created 1,500 jobs toward a target of 3,000 by 2027, will receive $299 million to expand to 6,000 jobs by 2030.
"Our Government values the security and opportunity that a good job provides - and we respect the dignity of work," Mr Albanese will say. "That is why we promised to abolish the failed CDP — and we have."
Described as "paying real wages and bringing new pride and purpose to people's lives," the Prime Minister argues economic empowerment underpins the Closing the Gap strategy. He says self-determination "flows from financial security " and from "having a stake in the economy".
A further $75 million will go toward reforming Prescribed Bodies Corporate Native Title Organisations to "empower them as economic decision-makers".
"Dealing direct with government investment vehicles like the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund," Mr Albanese will say. "And private capital — particularly in the resources and clean energy sector — securing new projects and creating new jobs."
The Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme will also be expanded, with $27.4 million to lift the cap and reduce prices on 30 essential grocery items across 225 remote stores. An additional $32.7 million will fund freezer equipment for 75 stores to improve food storage during periods when access is cut off.
"Our investments in Closing the Gap are making a difference, and in 2026, we are building on these successes," Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said in a statement.
"We continue to drive changes to the way governments work with First Nations people, organisations and communities, to ensure policies and programs are developed in genuine partnership."
Other measures to be announced include $44.4 million for the Birthing on Country program, $48.3 million for Aboriginal Hostels Ltd to maintain short-term accommodation services, and $144.1 million to upgrade infrastructure across Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
"Health is an area where the Coalition of Peaks has worked for years to drive a change in government's approach," the Prime Minister will say.
"Now all levels of government will work together to see this funding deliver a change in outcomes."
The Prime Minister will also use his speech to mark the anniversary of the national apology to the Stolen Generations and acknowledge the alleged terror attack on First Peoples in Perth last month.
Since the attack, "many of you have been providing comfort to people grappling with shock and fear," he will say.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the right to gather and express their views, without fear of violence. More than that, you have the right to a full and equal place in our nation and our future.
"Unburdened by discrimination or disadvantage. Empowered by opportunity and security. That is the test — and the purpose — of Closing the Gap."
