The Queensland budget’s response to Close the Gap
State and Federal governments have identified closing the 17 year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians as a high priority. This week the Queensland government was given the chance to put its money where its mouth is. Tuesday’s State Budget announced $58 million over 4 years to tackle drug and alcohol abuse in Indigenous communities. $21.4 million was allocated to early childhood education and $4.2 milliion towards hearing services for Indigenous children. It sounds like a lot of money but is it enough? Bronwen Loden spoke to Monique Bond, the Queensland president of Antar – Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation about the allocation and distribution of Government funds. She began by asking Monique her opinion about the announced funds for Indigenous health initiatives.