National Close the Gap Day

This week we have Close the Gap Day (19 March). It’s an opportunity to send our governments a clear message that Australians value health equality as a fundamental right for all. It’s about recognizing the work done and the work still to be done. While he Close the Gap Campaign is cancelling its public events to mark Close the Gap Day due to the Coronavirus pandemic, there are still ways we can mark this important event, by putting the spotlight on the health and wellbeing of First Nations people, online. ANTAR have a range of resources available on their website that can help you do this.

I think this date is also a great chance for businesses also to look to how they are engaging with Indigenous businesses through our respective workplaces. The Indigenous business sector is driving economic security for Indigenous families and broader communities, and is one pathway that has been shown to really help close the gap of disadvantage. The Australian Government, through its Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) is helping to drive demand for Indigenous goods and services, stimulate Indigenous economic development and grow the Indigenous business sector through direct contracts and indirectly through major suppliers. But any business can and should look to Indigenous businesses in their own procurement and supply chains. Our offering are diverse and of high quality. Check out Supply Nation (www.supplynation.org.au) for a list of Indigenous businesses across all sectors.