Closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is a core priority of the Government I lead.
That is why on the first working day of every parliamentary year that I am Prime Minister, I will report to the Parliament on the progress my Government has made closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
This annual Prime Ministerial statement on closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians will report on;
* Progress in closing the life expectancy gap;
* Progress in closing the gap on infant mortality and mortality of children up to five years of age; and
* Progress on closing the literacy and numeracy gap.
There is no reason that the Australia of today, a successful developed nation with a modern and prosperous economy, should accept a 17 year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
There is no reason that Indigenous children in Australia should have less opportunity for education or health care then the opportunities provided to non-Indigenous kids.
This gap has no place in a modern Australia.
Each year we must know as a Government, as a people, and as a country if we had made progress closing this gap.
Every leader knows that accountability brings with it the risk of criticism of failure, as the Prime Minister of Australia I accept that risk.