Media Release - Closing the Gap key data Torres region

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Published
13th November 2024

MASIG STATEMENT – REGIONAL REPORT CARD

Torres Shire Council is so please to release the first Report Card to coincide with the 23rd of August celebrations – the anniversary of the signing of the MASIG STATEMENT and the First Island Councillor Conference that took place on Masig Island on 23rd August 1937.

Mayor Elsie Seriat OAM stated “Council called on the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (the Office) to prepare a report card comparing socio-economic data from the region with that of the State of Queensland to track our region’s progress in Closing the Gap. Our proposition was simple and straightforward: if the gap is reduced between the region and the State, then the task is to then reduce the gap throughout the federation”.

In 2024, the Office has been able to produce a report on the following targets:

  • Target 2: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies with a healthy birthweight to 91%.
  • Target 4: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children assessed as developmentally on track in all five domains of the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) to 55%.
  • Target 5: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (age 20-24) attaining year 12 or equivalent qualification to 96%.
  • Target 6: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25–34 years who have completed a tertiary qualification (Certificate III and above) to 70%.
  • Target 7: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth (15-24 years) who are in employment, education or training to 67%.
  • Target 8: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-64 who are employed to 62%.
  • Target 9: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) housing to 88%.
  • Target 10: By 2031, reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults held in incarceration by at least 15%.
  • Target 11: By 2031, reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (10–⁠17 years) in detention by at least 30%.
  • Target 12: By 2031, reduce the rate of overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (0–17 years old) in out-of-home care by 45%.
    • A proxy used for reporting
  • • Target 13: By 2031, the rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children is reduced at least by 50%, as progress towards zero.
    • Data not available – a proxy measure is used
  • Torres Strait (S) and Torres Strait Island (R) have been combined into the Torres region
  • Targets 5 to 9 are disaggregated by Indigenous status

However, it should also be noted that:

  • For a range of reasons, it is not possible to measure the following targets for the region:
  • Target 1, Target 3, Target 12 (proxy used) Target 13 (proxy used), Target 14, Target 15 (note that Queensland has met the Sea country target), Target 16 and Target 17.

 

Council has requested ongoing dialogue with the Office regarding these latter targets, with a view to greater information for the 2025 Report Card. It is very pleasing that the Office is keen to progress our relationship and this initiative moving forward. This data is important because if we don’t track and measure, we cannot possibly know what progress we are making in closing the gap of indigenous disadvantage. This demand for a Report Card stays true to what our forebears sought 87 years ago, who, through the effort of their own intellects and wills designed the pillars upon which the Masig Statement is celebrated today. “In 1937, the Councillors called for a new code of local representation, systems of wage regulation, taxation, social wage, the right to work, to own and crew boats, for the removal of unpopular bylaws (including the evening curfews). On this day in 2024, Councillors are calling for not just Closing the Gap but for self-determination. With the support of the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office, we are releasing the first Report Card – the 2024 Report Card. Council will be utilising this data in its ongoing advocacy on behalf of our communities in the region” said Mayor Seriat.

End Release.

Council has requested ongoing dialogue with the Office regarding these latter targets, with a view to greater information for the 2025 Report Card. It is very pleasing that the Office is keen to progress our relationship and this initiative moving forward

L to R: Deputy Mayor Nakata, Cr. Bani, Mayor Seriat, Cr. Loban, Cr. Fujii


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TSC Media Centre
Contact: CEO Dalassa Yorkston
Mobile: 0429 691 333
Email: ceo@torres.qld.gov.au