Australia has officially reached one of its 19 Closing the Gap targets, as early childhood education enrolment for First Nations children has hit 95% nationwide. This data was released today by the Productivity Commission in its annual data compilation report.
The report indicates a significant increase from the 2016 baseline year, when enrolments stood at 61.3%. The 95% mark has now been achieved across every state and territory.
Malarndirri McCarthy, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, described this as a "significant milestone." However, she also stated that state and territory governments need to "back in" their commitments, as outcomes for other targets, including early childhood development, children in out-of-home care, incarceration rates, and suicide, continue to worsen.