A/HRC/36/46/Add.2 44. The Special Rapporteur recalls that the Government accepted, in the context of the universal periodic review in 2015 to “continue to support indigenous institutions that bring cohesion to communities, such as the National Congress of the First Peoples of Australia”.16 Financial and political support for the Congress to operate effectively is crucial to prove the commitment of the Government to advancing indigenous rights. Following her visit, the Special Rapporteur was informed by the Government that some funding for the Congress had been reinstated. However, she is concerned that funding remains insufficient for the Congress to exercise its mandate fully. 45. While in Canberra, the Special Rapporteur met with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body of the Australian Capital Territory, which is currently the only such body in the country at the state or territory level. The body meets on a regular basis with the Government of the Australian Capital Territory to discuss policy issues and offers a positive model for engagement with indigenous peoples. G. Closing the Gap strategy 46. The “Closing the Gap” strategy has been in existence for nearly a decade. However, in its 2017 report on health, education and unemployment targets, 17 the Government recognizes that only one of the seven targets — to halve the gap in Year 12 attainment rates — is on track. The Government did not expect to meet targets to close or reduce the gap in the remaining six targets, including on life expectancy, infant mortality, education and employment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to die on average 10 years younger than other Australians, with no major improvements being recorded. In the Northern Territory, the life expectancy of Aboriginal people is the lowest in the nation and the gap between the non-indigenous population is 16 years for men and 14 years for women. 47. It is woefully inadequate that, despite having enjoyed over two decades of economic growth, Australia has not been able to improve the social disadvantage of its indigenous population. The existing measures are clearly insufficient as evidenced by the lack of progress in achieving the “Close the Gap” targets. H. Health services 48. Social and cultural determinants explain almost one third of the health gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people. In 2015, nearly 45 per cent of indigenous peoples reported having a disability or long-term health condition. Understanding the impacts of intergenerational trauma and racism are essential factors in order to address the health situation of indigenous peoples effectively. 49. The Government has taken steps to improve the health of indigenous peoples through the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023, and the Special Rapporteur notes as positive that the plan adopts a human rights-based approach informed by the Declaration. 18 50. In order for the Implementation Plan for the Health Plan to be successful, the Government must invest in partnerships that recognize the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The workforce of indigenous Australian medical professionals has expanded in the past decade and developed valuable expertise. However, parity is still lagging as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders still make up less than 1 per cent of the national health workforce. Support for training more indigenous health professionals is therefore required. 16 17 18 See A/HRC/31/14/Add.1, para. 28, in which Australia accepted the recommendation in para. 136.87 of A/HRC/31/14. See http://closingthegap.pmc.gov.au. See www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/oatsih-healthplantoc~framework. 9