For over a decade, Australians have marked Close the Gap Day on the third Thursday of March in support of achieving equitable health outcomes for First Nations Peoples.
On 20 March 2025, IEU members are asked to contemplate the persisting gap in health outcomes between First Nations and non-First Nations Peoples.
IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke, who is caretaker of our union’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), said meaningful action to improve the lives of First Nations Peoples was more important than ever.
Persisting inequities
“Close the Gap Day is a significant occasion to reflect on the alarming disparities that continue to exist in our country between First Nations Peoples and non-First Nations people,” Mr Burke said.
“It is also a time to demand urgent action from the government to address these tragic deficiencies because Australia continues to have one of the world’s worst life expectancy gaps between First Nations and non-First Nations Peoples.
“In a wealthy, developed nation such as Australia, this is simply unacceptable,” he said.
The latest Annual Data Compilation Report (ADCR), which tracks progress towards the targets and indicators in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, shows that as of July 2024, only five of 19 targets are on track to be met.
Member action
IEU members are committed to fighting for change and reconciliation daily in their workplaces, industries, professions, and communities.
“As educators, we are dedicated to making a positive difference for future generations,” Mr Burke said.
“We have a powerful opportunity to impact the lives of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in our schools, kindergartens, and preschools,” he said.
Our union encourages members to take action to mark Close the Gap Day 2025 by:
- Signing the pledge calling on governments to Close the Gap online at https://bit.ly/4aRNBaj
- Donating to the Close the Gap campaign online at https://close-the-gap.raisely.com/
- Listening to the stories of First Nations Peoples and having conversations with your colleagues, family and friends about the important of reconciliation and Closing the Gap.
Learn more about Close the Gap Day via Close the Gap or ANTAR
