Two prominent community organisations have implored all levels of government to urgently address the “trust gap” keeping Indigenous Australians from improved life outcomes.

Gunawuna Jungai (GJ) and Act for Kids are calling for the focus to shift on bridging this divide to ensure significant and urgent advances are made in Closing the Gap initiatives.

GJ CEO Kieran Smith said the term “trust gap” referred to the justifiable lack of trust First Nations people had in systems including health, education, and welfare across all tiers of government.

“There is a lack of trust in the system from Aboriginal people. That translates to people not presenting for health appointments, not making appointments or visiting community services – so they’re sitting outside the system.”

Mr Smith said the distrust stemmed from systems being purpose-built for non-Indigenous Australians, making it difficult for others to navigate.

“First Nations people don’t want to go to hospital because they don’t trust the hospital,” he said.

“The system demands that Aboriginal Australia follow its terms, so First Nations people just give up and they stay outside the system.

“The one who broke the trust is the only one who can repair the trust. The onus is on the system to reach out to Aboriginal Australia.

“Aboriginal Australia is standing there with open arms, waiting patiently and respectfully.”

Gangalidda Traditional Owner Barry Walden is the Board Chairman of GJ, a community controlled, community owned company built to represent the whole Doomadgee community in remote northwest Queensland.

Mr Walden said the allyship of GJ and Act for Kids was a strong example of how trust could be built between communities, organisations and government departments.

Act for Kids has been delivering services in a proud partnership with First Nations people in Doomadgee since 2008.

“If we’re so adamant that the solutions exist within community and culture, then why aren’t we learning about and accessing what they are?” Mr Walden asked.

“By sharing the inner workings and intimate community knowledge within government departments, and vice versa, a foundation for trust and collaborative partnership can be established.”

Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines said it was alarming that only five out of 19 socio-economic targets for Closing the Gap were on track.

“We know Indigenous children are eight times more likely to receive child protection services than non-Indigenous children,” Dr Lines said.

“It is distressing that children over-represented in out-of-home care remains one of four targets not on track.

“While the recent appointment of a National Commissioner for First Nations Children and Young People is a positive step, more needs to be done to ensure First Nations children are raised safe, in community and with culture.”

About Gunawuna Jungai:

GJ is a community controlled, community owned company built to represent the whole of the Doomadgee community. It works on the premise that the Directors have identified 18 Family groups within the community that all need representation and essentially become the Voice of Doomadgee.

It is committed to uniting and working together in a way that will draw upon traditional lore and cultural practices to help reshape current western models of service delivery for the community. GJ will work to remove barriers and assist individuals and families in getting better access to the services that Doomadgee people both need and want.

It is committed to taking the lead with working in partnership with government departments to drive Closing the Gap initiatives in Doomadgee.

About Act for Kids:

Act for Kids is a leading children’s charity delivering evidence-based, trauma informed professional therapy and support services for children who have experienced, or are at risk, of harm. Act for Kids’ purpose is to keep kids safe, heal from trauma and lead happy lives.

The organisation has helped hundreds of thousands of children and families over the past 35 years, with its support including therapy, prevention, treatment, research, education and advocacy services.

It operates from 30 centres across Australia, with a team of over 450 staff from Adelaide all the way up to the Cape York Peninsula. Act for Kids has been delivering services in a proud partnership with First Nations people in Dumaji since 2008.