Why Is Reconciliation Important?

Reconciliation has no meaning if it is not aimed at achieving equality in life expectancy, education, employment and all the important, measurable areas of disadvantage.

We cannot think of Australia as reconciled when some continue to experience racism and when there continues to be such profound disparity between First Nations people and the wider community.

Reconciliation is about creating equity and equality, closing this gap and building relationships to do this.

The most recent data tells us the following:

THERE ARE MORE THAN
548,000
FIRST
AUSTRALIANS
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians experience vast differences in health, education, employment, and standards of living compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Understanding these inequalities is the first step to reconciling the differences between us.
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AND GREATER THAN
30,000
FIRST AUSTRALIANS
IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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AND GREATER THAN
30,000
FIRST AUSTRALIANS
IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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INDIGENOUS VS NON-INDIGENOUS

MALES
LIFE
EXPECTANCY
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a significantly lower life expectancy, up to 11.5 years for men and 9.7 years for women.
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INDIGENOUS VS NON-INDIGENOUS

FEMALES
21
INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
MEDIAN
AGE
The overall Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is quite young due in part to a higher birth rate and lower life expectancy.
38
NON-INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN
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INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

INFANT
MORTALITY
The infant mortality rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is 8 / 1000 live births, double the rate for non-Aboriginal Australians.
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NON-INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

CAUSES OF DEATH

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are much more likely to die from disease, assault and suicide. Diabetes, a disease which generally has a low mortality rate, kills 6.4 times more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than the national average for non-Indigenous people.
INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
Mortality Rate / 2

Aboriginal Vs Non Aboriginal Mortality Rates

NON-INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
Mortality Rate / 2
HEART DISEASE
Mortality rate
163.4 vs 87.2
DIABETES
Mortality rate
97.9 vs 15.3
LUNG CANCER
Mortality rate
68.9 vs 32.5
LIVER DISEASE
Mortality rate
29.3 vs 6.1
SUICIDE
Mortality rate
25.7 vs 9.6
ASSAULT
Mortality rate
6.7 vs 0.7
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22%
Complete
Year 12
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17%
Unemployment
(3.4x Higher)
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26%
Of housing has major structural problems

INDIGENOUS SOCIETY

An overview of a small sample of the difficulties and disadvantages faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in society.
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11%
Are bullied
at school
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19%
Speak an
Aboriginal
Language
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25%
Live in
overcrowded
housing

OUR RELATIONSHIP

As a population, we’re optimistic for the future. Studies have shown that we’re more likely to agree that the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians is improving.
66%
Believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is important to Australia.
80%
Of Australians are open to learning more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
72%
Believe that Indigenous Australians need help to overcome disadvantage.
80%
Think the Apology was an important milestone in our relationship.
87%
Feel that our relationship is important to Australia as a whole.

ARE YOU READY
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

It’s time to take action! Take a look at some of our worthwhile campaigns and don’t hesitate… participate!
I'm Ready to Get Involved

Sources

http://www.abs.gov.au/census
http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/c311215.nsf/web/Aboriginal+and+Torres+Strait+Islander+Peoples
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4704.0
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3302.0.55.003
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/3303.0/
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3302.0.55.003
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/39433889d406eeb9ca2570610019e9a5/8F08EF0297F11CC6CA2574390014C588?opendocument
http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home/resources/australian-reconciliation-barometer
http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home/reconciliation-action-plans/rap-impact-measurement-report