Latest news with #ClosingtheGap
Sydney Morning Herald
29-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Half of NSW's $222 million spend had no ‘tangible output', audit finds
NSW taxpayers spent $222 million on measures to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians but less than half led to tangible outcomes for First Nations people, a damning audit has found. The report, released on Thursday by NSW Auditor-General Bola Oyetunji, found the premier's department had inadequate oversight and a 'passive approach' to monitoring how state funding for Closing the Gap measures were being spent. The 2022 NSW budget included $222 million to deliver programs and initiatives under the Closing the Gap national agreement signed in 2020, to cover four years until 2024. But only 38 per cent of the 142 initiatives funded had a 'tangible output' in the form of grants or direct funding to improve outcomes for Indigenous people. A further 49 per cent delivered reviews or frameworks 'without clarity on how this would contribute to an outcome', the audit found. 'Some individual projects conducted under the National Agreement have established effective partnerships and are beginning to demonstrate positive results,' Oyetunji concluded. 'However … governance arrangements do not provide adequate oversight of delivery.' Loading The auditor-general questioned a $9 million government grant given to the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO) to hire 22 full-time staff across the eight peak bodies it represents. When Oyetunji's office requested an update on the funding, neither the government nor NSW CAPO could say how many of the positions had been filled. NSW CAPO did not respond to specific questions about the grant. Co-chair Charles Lynch welcomed the report's recommendations as 'a chance to strengthen how we work – both internally and in partnership'.
The Age
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Half of NSW's $222 million spend had no ‘tangible output', audit finds
NSW taxpayers spent $222 million on measures to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians but less than half led to tangible outcomes for First Nations people, a damning audit has found. The report, released on Thursday by NSW Auditor-General Bola Oyetunji, found the premier's department had inadequate oversight and a 'passive approach' to monitoring how state funding for Closing the Gap measures were being spent. The 2022 NSW budget included $222 million to deliver programs and initiatives under the Closing the Gap national agreement signed in 2020, to cover four years until 2024. But only 38 per cent of the 142 initiatives funded had a 'tangible output' in the form of grants or direct funding to improve outcomes for Indigenous people. A further 49 per cent delivered reviews or frameworks 'without clarity on how this would contribute to an outcome', the audit found. 'Some individual projects conducted under the National Agreement have established effective partnerships and are beginning to demonstrate positive results,' Oyetunji concluded. 'However … governance arrangements do not provide adequate oversight of delivery.' Loading The auditor-general questioned a $9 million government grant given to the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO) to hire 22 full-time staff across the eight peak bodies it represents. When Oyetunji's office requested an update on the funding, neither the government nor NSW CAPO could say how many of the positions had been filled. NSW CAPO did not respond to specific questions about the grant. Co-chair Charles Lynch welcomed the report's recommendations as 'a chance to strengthen how we work – both internally and in partnership'.
Sky News AU
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Govt agency calls for ‘urgent' action as NSW prison population swells to five-year high amid alarming Indigenous incarceration rates
A New South Wales government agency is calling for "urgent" sweeping changes to address inmate numbers as the state's prison population swells to a five-year high. The total number of adults within correctional facilities across the state reached 13,103 in March, the highest since March 2020, a report released on Wednesday revealed. A steep decline in prisoner numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by a relatively stable period, but inmate levels have been rising steadily over the past 18 months. The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) quarterly report said the number of adults incarcerated in NSW has spiked by 1,055 people, or 8.8 per cent, since November 2023. BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said while the 'overall' prison population remains below pre-pandemic levels, the number of Aboriginal inmates now 'well exceeds' levels in 2019 and 'continues to grow'. The report said the increase is due to a surge in Aboriginal remandees, who are unconvicted prisoners awaiting court hearings. The number of Indigenous remandees rose by 63 per cent in the five years to March 2025, with domestic violence allegations accounting for a large part of the increase in Aboriginal adults being remanded, it said. 'These figures underscore the urgent need to consider policies, interventions and practice changes to reduce Aboriginal incarceration, as current trends contradict the Closing the Gap commitment to reduce Aboriginal over-representation in the criminal justice system by at least 15% by 2031,' Ms Fitzgerald said. The Closing the Gap commitments includes reducing the rate of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention facilities by 30 per cent by 2031. BOSCAR's quarterly update said there were 4,244 Aboriginal prisoners in NSW as of March this year, who represented 32 per cent of the state's total adult inmates. There had been an increase of 520 Aboriginal inmates, or 14 per cent, since November 2023, while the number of non-Aboriginal prisoners was up by 359 people, or 4.3 per cent, over the same period.
West Australian
20-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Indigenous incarceration rates are 'getting worse'
Indigenous incarceration rates in Australia's most populous state are getting worse, as new data raises questions about the number of people behind bars without being convicted. The NSW prison population has been trending upwards following a sharp decline linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous prisoners made up almost a third of the custodial population in data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research on Wednesday. They accounted for 4244 of the 13,103 adults in the state's prisons in March. The total prisoner population is the highest since 2020, approaching record highs. But the number of Aboriginal people in custody is already at record highs, while the state government is trying to reduce the rate of Indigenous incarceration by at least 15 per cent by 2031. The rate has increased since the target was set, exceeding 2188 per 100,000 people in December data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald told AAP the state has never had this many Indigenous people in custody before. "The prison population trends for Aboriginal people are quite different to non-Aboriginal people," she said. Indigenous inmates increased by 18.9 per cent since March 2020, while non-Indigenous inmates decreased 12.5 per cent. Of Indigenous inmates in custody, 45 per cent were on remand, almost 2000 people. "Those people aren't yet convicted of a crime, and many of them, even when convicted, won't be considered for a custodial penalty," Ms Fitzgerald said. Attorney-General Michael Daley pointed to laws making it harder for people accused of serious domestic violence offences to be granted bail in June 2024. These reversed the presumption of bail, requiring accused people to show why they should not be remanded rather than prosecutors arguing why they should be denied bail. The changes were appropriate given unacceptable levels of domestic violence. "Our tough new bail laws are necessary, and they are working," Mr Daley said. But the prisoner population increase began to rise in earnest in November 2023. "We've definitely had an increase in remand, and that precedes those legislative changes," Ms Fitzgerald said. "The change commenced prior to the legislative reform." Criminologist Eileen Baldry told AAP remand rates are increasing at a concerning level. People on remand are in full-time custody in maximum security, with virtually no rehabilitative services. "In part because there's no idea whether they're going to get out in one week, or one month, or one year," the UNSW emeritus professor said. Inmates also needed a stable address in order to be granted bail and Indigenous people were more likely to be homeless or live in unstable housing, she added. But the state remains committed to working towards its Closing the Gap targets, including those for Indigenous incarceration, Mr Daley said. "The NSW government is also strongly committed to the Closing the Gap target of reducing the rate of family violence and abuse against Indigenous women and children," he said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Indigenous incarceration rates are 'getting worse'
Indigenous incarceration rates in Australia's most populous state are getting worse, as new data raises questions about the number of people behind bars without being convicted. The NSW prison population has been trending upwards following a sharp decline linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous prisoners made up almost a third of the custodial population in data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research on Wednesday. They accounted for 4244 of the 13,103 adults in the state's prisons in March. The total prisoner population is the highest since 2020, approaching record highs. But the number of Aboriginal people in custody is already at record highs, while the state government is trying to reduce the rate of Indigenous incarceration by at least 15 per cent by 2031. The rate has increased since the target was set, exceeding 2188 per 100,000 people in December data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald told AAP the state has never had this many Indigenous people in custody before. "The prison population trends for Aboriginal people are quite different to non-Aboriginal people," she said. Indigenous inmates increased by 18.9 per cent since March 2020, while non-Indigenous inmates decreased 12.5 per cent. Of Indigenous inmates in custody, 45 per cent were on remand, almost 2000 people. "Those people aren't yet convicted of a crime, and many of them, even when convicted, won't be considered for a custodial penalty," Ms Fitzgerald said. Attorney-General Michael Daley pointed to laws making it harder for people accused of serious domestic violence offences to be granted bail in June 2024. These reversed the presumption of bail, requiring accused people to show why they should not be remanded rather than prosecutors arguing why they should be denied bail. The changes were appropriate given unacceptable levels of domestic violence. "Our tough new bail laws are necessary, and they are working," Mr Daley said. But the prisoner population increase began to rise in earnest in November 2023. "We've definitely had an increase in remand, and that precedes those legislative changes," Ms Fitzgerald said. "The change commenced prior to the legislative reform." Criminologist Eileen Baldry told AAP remand rates are increasing at a concerning level. People on remand are in full-time custody in maximum security, with virtually no rehabilitative services. "In part because there's no idea whether they're going to get out in one week, or one month, or one year," the UNSW emeritus professor said. Inmates also needed a stable address in order to be granted bail and Indigenous people were more likely to be homeless or live in unstable housing, she added. But the state remains committed to working towards its Closing the Gap targets, including those for Indigenous incarceration, Mr Daley said. "The NSW government is also strongly committed to the Closing the Gap target of reducing the rate of family violence and abuse against Indigenous women and children," he said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 Indigenous incarceration rates in Australia's most populous state are getting worse, as new data raises questions about the number of people behind bars without being convicted. The NSW prison population has been trending upwards following a sharp decline linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous prisoners made up almost a third of the custodial population in data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research on Wednesday. They accounted for 4244 of the 13,103 adults in the state's prisons in March. The total prisoner population is the highest since 2020, approaching record highs. But the number of Aboriginal people in custody is already at record highs, while the state government is trying to reduce the rate of Indigenous incarceration by at least 15 per cent by 2031. The rate has increased since the target was set, exceeding 2188 per 100,000 people in December data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald told AAP the state has never had this many Indigenous people in custody before. "The prison population trends for Aboriginal people are quite different to non-Aboriginal people," she said. Indigenous inmates increased by 18.9 per cent since March 2020, while non-Indigenous inmates decreased 12.5 per cent. Of Indigenous inmates in custody, 45 per cent were on remand, almost 2000 people. "Those people aren't yet convicted of a crime, and many of them, even when convicted, won't be considered for a custodial penalty," Ms Fitzgerald said. Attorney-General Michael Daley pointed to laws making it harder for people accused of serious domestic violence offences to be granted bail in June 2024. These reversed the presumption of bail, requiring accused people to show why they should not be remanded rather than prosecutors arguing why they should be denied bail. The changes were appropriate given unacceptable levels of domestic violence. "Our tough new bail laws are necessary, and they are working," Mr Daley said. But the prisoner population increase began to rise in earnest in November 2023. "We've definitely had an increase in remand, and that precedes those legislative changes," Ms Fitzgerald said. "The change commenced prior to the legislative reform." Criminologist Eileen Baldry told AAP remand rates are increasing at a concerning level. People on remand are in full-time custody in maximum security, with virtually no rehabilitative services. "In part because there's no idea whether they're going to get out in one week, or one month, or one year," the UNSW emeritus professor said. Inmates also needed a stable address in order to be granted bail and Indigenous people were more likely to be homeless or live in unstable housing, she added. But the state remains committed to working towards its Closing the Gap targets, including those for Indigenous incarceration, Mr Daley said. "The NSW government is also strongly committed to the Closing the Gap target of reducing the rate of family violence and abuse against Indigenous women and children," he said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 Indigenous incarceration rates in Australia's most populous state are getting worse, as new data raises questions about the number of people behind bars without being convicted. The NSW prison population has been trending upwards following a sharp decline linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous prisoners made up almost a third of the custodial population in data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research on Wednesday. They accounted for 4244 of the 13,103 adults in the state's prisons in March. The total prisoner population is the highest since 2020, approaching record highs. But the number of Aboriginal people in custody is already at record highs, while the state government is trying to reduce the rate of Indigenous incarceration by at least 15 per cent by 2031. The rate has increased since the target was set, exceeding 2188 per 100,000 people in December data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald told AAP the state has never had this many Indigenous people in custody before. "The prison population trends for Aboriginal people are quite different to non-Aboriginal people," she said. Indigenous inmates increased by 18.9 per cent since March 2020, while non-Indigenous inmates decreased 12.5 per cent. Of Indigenous inmates in custody, 45 per cent were on remand, almost 2000 people. "Those people aren't yet convicted of a crime, and many of them, even when convicted, won't be considered for a custodial penalty," Ms Fitzgerald said. Attorney-General Michael Daley pointed to laws making it harder for people accused of serious domestic violence offences to be granted bail in June 2024. These reversed the presumption of bail, requiring accused people to show why they should not be remanded rather than prosecutors arguing why they should be denied bail. The changes were appropriate given unacceptable levels of domestic violence. "Our tough new bail laws are necessary, and they are working," Mr Daley said. But the prisoner population increase began to rise in earnest in November 2023. "We've definitely had an increase in remand, and that precedes those legislative changes," Ms Fitzgerald said. "The change commenced prior to the legislative reform." Criminologist Eileen Baldry told AAP remand rates are increasing at a concerning level. People on remand are in full-time custody in maximum security, with virtually no rehabilitative services. "In part because there's no idea whether they're going to get out in one week, or one month, or one year," the UNSW emeritus professor said. Inmates also needed a stable address in order to be granted bail and Indigenous people were more likely to be homeless or live in unstable housing, she added. But the state remains committed to working towards its Closing the Gap targets, including those for Indigenous incarceration, Mr Daley said. "The NSW government is also strongly committed to the Closing the Gap target of reducing the rate of family violence and abuse against Indigenous women and children," he said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 Indigenous incarceration rates in Australia's most populous state are getting worse, as new data raises questions about the number of people behind bars without being convicted. The NSW prison population has been trending upwards following a sharp decline linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous prisoners made up almost a third of the custodial population in data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research on Wednesday. They accounted for 4244 of the 13,103 adults in the state's prisons in March. The total prisoner population is the highest since 2020, approaching record highs. But the number of Aboriginal people in custody is already at record highs, while the state government is trying to reduce the rate of Indigenous incarceration by at least 15 per cent by 2031. The rate has increased since the target was set, exceeding 2188 per 100,000 people in December data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald told AAP the state has never had this many Indigenous people in custody before. "The prison population trends for Aboriginal people are quite different to non-Aboriginal people," she said. Indigenous inmates increased by 18.9 per cent since March 2020, while non-Indigenous inmates decreased 12.5 per cent. Of Indigenous inmates in custody, 45 per cent were on remand, almost 2000 people. "Those people aren't yet convicted of a crime, and many of them, even when convicted, won't be considered for a custodial penalty," Ms Fitzgerald said. Attorney-General Michael Daley pointed to laws making it harder for people accused of serious domestic violence offences to be granted bail in June 2024. These reversed the presumption of bail, requiring accused people to show why they should not be remanded rather than prosecutors arguing why they should be denied bail. The changes were appropriate given unacceptable levels of domestic violence. "Our tough new bail laws are necessary, and they are working," Mr Daley said. But the prisoner population increase began to rise in earnest in November 2023. "We've definitely had an increase in remand, and that precedes those legislative changes," Ms Fitzgerald said. "The change commenced prior to the legislative reform." Criminologist Eileen Baldry told AAP remand rates are increasing at a concerning level. People on remand are in full-time custody in maximum security, with virtually no rehabilitative services. "In part because there's no idea whether they're going to get out in one week, or one month, or one year," the UNSW emeritus professor said. Inmates also needed a stable address in order to be granted bail and Indigenous people were more likely to be homeless or live in unstable housing, she added. But the state remains committed to working towards its Closing the Gap targets, including those for Indigenous incarceration, Mr Daley said. "The NSW government is also strongly committed to the Closing the Gap target of reducing the rate of family violence and abuse against Indigenous women and children," he said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
