Making Closing the Gap data more accessible

Media release - Minister Wyatt

The Productivity Commission has today launched a new Closing the Gap Information Repository, making available the most comprehensive data set for measuring the 17 targets agreed to in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said the new website is another step towards delivering on the Government’s commitment to share data and support more informed decision making by all parties to the National Agreement.

This delivers on the Morrison Government’s 2020-21 Budget commitment of $10.1 million to provide independent oversight and accountability of progress under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

As well as supporting the comprehensive review of progress every three years, this measure includes developing and maintaining a data dashboard (presenting the most up-to-date information available) and an annual data compilation report (a point-in-time snapshot).

“The launch of the Productivity Commission’s information repository provides the evidence base we need to properly monitor progress that all parties are making towards Closing the Gap,” Minister Wyatt said.

“This initiative brings all the data together into one place so that people can readily see the current situation and trajectories of indicators for each target, providing a level of transparency and access that we haven’t had before.

“This means people can clearly see what is working and what areas need more focus to meet our shared goals.”

Minister Wyatt also said the Productivity Commission will play a key role in keeping all parties to the National Agreement accountable.

“Having baseline data available, adding to it as further data on targets and priority reforms becomes available, and adding data from jurisdictions’ annual reports will ensure progress on all outcomes can be openly tracked,” Minister Wyatt said.

“The independent reporting from the Productivity Commission and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led reviews are important features of the National Agreement and we’re pleased this information is more readily available to support this.

The full information repository and dashboard is available on the Productivity Commission’s website: Closing the Gap Information Repository