Widening the gap - indigenous affairs

The 'Closing the Gap' report released on 12 February 2014 highlights the fact that gains made can be easily lost. Poor funding and policy decisions are being made that will take progress in indigenous affairs backwards. Broad cuts to legal assistance services were announced by the coalition government as part of its MYEFO statement in December 2013, including $13.41 million over four years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSILS). These cuts to an already under-resourced agency will have consequences as this article will highlight. Tony Abbott, when elected, said he wanted to improve indigenous affairs by bringing it into his portfolio and improving outcomes. This cut is counterproductive and will reverse the Prime Minister's noble aims.