Pat Anderson and Professor Megan Davis, who wrote the Uluru Statement from the Heart, continue to fight for Indigenous rights. They have been increasingly critical of the Australian government’s failure to close the gaps in health, education, and social outcomes for First Nations peoples. Their strong stance, which they stated explicitly in recent statements, shows that they are getting more and more frustrated with what they call a “performative” approach to Indigenous affairs, especially after the most recent Closing the Gap (CTG) report.
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The Uluru Statement and Its Demand for Change in the System
The Uluru Statement from the Heart, which was made in 2017, asked for Indigenous Australians to be acknowledged and have a say in their own affairs through a First Nations Voice to Parliament. The statement, which is now a historic document, was both a guide and an invitation for Australians to engage with Indigenous communities in a way that was based on truth, law, love, and hope.
More than five years after it was handed down, Indigenous leaders are still upset that not much has changed on its main points. Aunty Pat Anderson and Professor Megan Davis say that the Uluru Statement’s main call for a “Voice” to Parliament is still primarily ignored. This is because governments aren’t following through on the structural changes that could help First Nations Australians who are less fortunate.
The Closing the Gap Report from the Productivity Commission
The latest Closing the Gap report from the Productivity Commission shows that the national framework has not made much progress. There are still only four targets on track, which is the same as last year’s review. There have been some small successes in areas like preschool enrolment and land and sea rights, but big problems like the imprisonment of young people and adults, high suicide rates, and the protection of children are getting worse.
The numbers don’t lie – inequality is getting worse.
The report’s most worrying finding is that an increasing number of Indigenous people are going to jail. From 2019 to 2024, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prison in the Northern Territory rose by 812.4 per 100,000 adults. People say that this worrying rise is because of policies like bringing back spit hoods and penalties such haven’t worked to lower crime or make the public safer.
The report also points out that important areas like youth detention, suicide, out-of-home care, and child development have either stayed the same or gotten worse. Even though the Closing the Gap framework set high goals, these results show that the system is failing in a bigger way that the current policies can’t fix.
Lack of Responsibility – A Problem That Happens All the Time
Aunty Pat Anderson and Professor Megan Davis both say that the real reason these gaps haven’t been resolved is that the government is unwilling to give up control and let Indigenous communities make decisions that affect their lives. This is particularly apparent in the fact that First Nations people are not allowed to govern themselves and are not given their rightful place in government.
The Uluru Dialogue co-chairs criticised the Australian government for making decisions “from the top down” without really chatting to Indigenous communities. They stressed that Indigenous voices are still not heard and their rights continue to be violated.
Because of this, many of the problems that the Closing the Gap initiative wants to fix are still not fixed. The status quo stays the same, whether it’s putting kids in jail, having bad health outcomes, or having too many kids in out-of-home care. Anderson and Davis say that the government’s inaction on these problems is “killing our people and our culture,” making things even harder for Indigenous Australians.
The Garma Festival and the Government’s Stance on Performative Opportunities
The Garma Festival in 2025 was the peak of the ongoing debate regarding how well the Closing the Gap framework works. Several individuals thought that this yearly event, which brings together Indigenous leaders and government officials, was a chance for the government to make real promises to Indigenous communities. But for a lot of Indigenous leaders, the event has become more of a “performative” chance than a real chance to make a difference.
It is expected that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will go to the festival and give an address as the main speaker. Anderson and Davis, on the other hand, are not happy with what the Albanese government has done, especially after the PM’s Garma speech last year, in which he seemed to go back on his pledge to fully implement the Uluru Statement. Albanese’s speech last year didn’t mention the other pillars of truth and treaty, which only made people more concerned about the government’s commitment to real change.
The Uluru Dialogue co-chairs say that the Garma Festival is important for showing off culture, but it’s just another chance for the government to repeat its talking points without causing good on its promises. Many Indigenous leaders feel let down because nothing has been done since the Voice to Parliament referendum collapsed .
The Call for Change – Indigenous Self-Determination and Structural Reform
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is all about asking for self-determination and structural reform for Indigenous Australians. Anderson and Davis still want a system in which Indigenous communities can make their own decisions, especially about things like justice, education, health, and economic empowerment.
The Uluru Dialogue has said a lot that real change will only happen when Indigenous people are involved in making decisions at all levels. They say that the problems that First Nations communities are facing will only get worse until this happens.
Because the Closing the Gap report hasn’t shifted forward, both Anderson and Davis stressed that the main issue is that politicians do not want to give up power. Governments still have control, and despite the fact they have changed their policies and held consultations many times, the gap is still there.
The Importance of Indigenous-Led Groups
People think that organisations run by Indigenous people are the key to real change. The Uluru Dialogue co-chairs say that Aboriginal community-controlled organisations have been successful in resolving issues like preserving children and maintaining people out of jail. These groups were created by and for Indigenous people, and they use local knowledge and culture to get real results.
Anderson and Davis say that these groups need the right quantity of money and help to keep doing their work and be at the forefront of efforts to help Indigenous people who are at a disadvantage. Governments need to promise to work with these communities and give up some of their power so that real change can happen.
The Way Forward – Accepting Mistakes and Welcoming Real Change
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is still an important part of the discussion about Indigenous rights in Australia. Anderson and Davis were hurt by the rejection of the Voice to Parliament referendum, but it’s not the end of the road for them. Their main goals are still self-determination and getting structural recognition.
The most recent Closing the Gap report shows that the government’s plan isn’t working and the gaps are getting bigger. Indigenous groups are upset that things do not move faster, and it doesn’t seem like politicians want to fix these problems.
But Anderson and Davis are still identified. They are dedicated to continuing the fight for Indigenous rights, power, and the right to make their own decisions. They say that the work will take a long time, but they won’t stop until First Nations Australians see real change.
In conclusion
Pat Anderson and Megan Davis, the people who produced the Uluru Statement, have been conflict for structural change and self-determination for Indigenous Australians for a long time. The most recent Closing the Gap report is a stark reminder of the problems that Indigenous communities are still facing, such as rising rates of incarceration and worsening health outcomes. The need for real change and genuine relationships with Indigenous-led groups expands more powerful as governments continue to fail to deal with these problems.
Australia can only move towards a more fair and just future for its First Nations people by understanding the root causes of inequality and giving Indigenous communities a say in how the country is run.
