On National Close the Gap Day, community voices must drive justice, equality and healing
On National Close the Gap Day 2026, Gayaa Dhuwi is calling for renewed national action to progress justice, equality, and healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, with social and emotional wellbeing at the centre of reform.
Close the Gap Day has its foundations in Professor Tom Calma AO’s leadership as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. His landmark 2005 Social Justice Report made clear that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health inequality is not inevitable. It is the result of policy choices, structural exclusion, and a failure to uphold our human rights. More than twenty years on, that call remains the same.
Across our communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are already driving reform and achieving outcomes through self-determination. Where we have control over how things are designed and delivered, progress is being made. This shows that self-determination works and that real change happens when our people lead.
This year’s Close the Gap campaign theme, Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing, is a timely reminder that lasting change will only be achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are genuinely heard, respected, and provided the power to lead reform.
Rachel Fishlock, Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, said Close the Gap Day must be more than a symbolic moment.
“Professor Tom Calma AO’s vision was grounded in justice. He made clear that equality will not be achieved without governments addressing the structures and systems that continue to fail our people,” Ms Fishlock said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health and social and emotional wellbeing, including care that is culturally safe, appropriate and responsive to our needs.
“What is required now is urgent structural reform, system reform and stronger accountability across social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention.”
“We cannot keep expecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to adapt to systems that were not designed for us. The system must change, and governments must be held accountable for making that change real.”
Racism must also be confronted as a structural driver of exclusion, harm and poor wellbeing outcomes. At a time when the Parliament is preparing to examine racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, governments must also address the impact of structural racism across mental health and related systems.
Professor Helen Milroy AM, Chair of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, said culture, healing and community voice must remain central to the next phase of reform.
“When we centre community voices, culture and healing, we create the conditions for justice, equality and stronger social and emotional wellbeing for current and future generations,” Professor Milroy said.
Gayaa Dhuwi is calling for the next phase of national reform to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, drive genuine structural reform, deliver system reform and accountability across mental health and suicide prevention, and uphold the human right of our peoples to culturally safe and appropriate care.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap’s Priority Reforms already point to shared decision-making, strengthening the community-controlled sector and transforming government organisations; the task now is to implement them with integrity.
ENDS
Gayaa Dhuwi reminds the public and media outlets of the importance of responsible and culturally respectful reporting when it comes to issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes adhering to the Good Yarn Guidelines and ensuring that crisis support services are promoted effectively.
24/7 crisis helpline services available to the community include:
13 YARN (139276) – a dedicated support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Brother to Brother crisis line (1800 435 799) – providing support for men
Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) – for young people in need of support
For further information, and resources, or to access support services, please visit www.gayaadhuwi.org.au
About Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention. As a community-controlled organisation, it is governed and controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and peak bodies, working to promote collective excellence in mental healthcare.
Media Contacts:
Ben Signor
Ph. 0448 627 820; communications@gayaadhuwi.org.au
www.gayaadhuwi.org.au