Thread by @timsenior

I am reading over the PM's #ClosingtheGap speech, and I have some thoughts.
Would you like to hear them.
(Speech here in case you want your own thoughts not mine. pm.gov.au/media/address-…)

Here, the PM makes all the right noises about working in partnership. If he really means this, then that is really good.
Do you sense a "But..." coming?
There's "But..."
#ClosingTheGap

But...
In the very next paragraph, he's telling people - Indigenous people - what he thinks needs to happen. #ClosingTheGap

The thing is, if the PM means this, then he's about to announce some new policies.
- A voice to parliament
- A Makarrata commission
- Scrapping the Healthy Welfare card
- Reinstating funding of Aboriginal Housing
- Funding ACCHOs commensurate with need
#ClosingTheGap

If he means this, he'll announce an inquiry of some sort into racism in the health sector.
If he means this, he'll implement the findings of the Royal Commission into deaths in custody
#ClosingTheGap

He will also slap down those Liberal/National MPs feeling it's *they* who haven't been consulted enough by @KenWyattMP
#ClosingTheGap

@KenWyattMP If the PM means this, we'll see an end to the PM picking advisors, and a refunding of @congressmob. #ClosingTheGap

@KenWyattMP @congressmob As it is, every day I fill out forms for people who get no help from their job network provider, whose Newstart income is too low to get them a job.
So this sounds like the same old same old failure
#ClosingTheGap

@KenWyattMP @congressmob Shall we remind ourselves that the Health Welfare card was an idea from Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest?
This is what I said at the time. croakey.org/is-this-just-a… If the PM means what he said, he'll ditch it
#ClosingTheGap

@KenWyattMP @congressmob If he means this, there's about to be an announcement about a large increase in funding for public education, perhaps implementation of a proper Gonski.
#ClosingTheGap
(What say you, @JaneCaro?)

@KenWyattMP @congressmob @JaneCaro A minor point, but he's the PM, and should be able to get a briefing before a major speech about how to pronounce once of the services you are going to mention.
How much does this matter to him?
#ClosingTheGap

The PM talks about suicide prevention, and I think he means it.
He needs to read the ATSISPEP report first atsispep.sis.uwa.edu.au
Then he needs to consider the effect of (illegal!) robodebt and low Newstart and widespread institutional racism too.
#ClosingTheGap

Then he moves on to Constitutional Recognition. Now this is not how co-design works! You don't co-design and then decide if you'll accept it. You commit to the outcome of co-design or it's not co-design!
#ClosingTheGap

I would be so happy if the PM meant what he says today about working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Forgive me for being cynical. I have reasons.
#ClosingTheGap

The day before the #ClosingTheGap speech, it seems that Aboriginal housing has quietly had its funding stopped.
#ClosingTheGap

https://twitter.com/ABCthedrum/status/1227138499465244672

I spend a lot of time completing housing forms for people.
You can't manage diabetes, depression, heart disease, anything, if you've no fridge, cooking facilities, steps you can't get up, family/medical services nearby or public transport or a roof over your head.
#ClosingTheGap

In one sense, I'm pleased that the PM didn't try to claim carry over credits for the #ClosingTheGap targets.
That's how low bar is.

In summary - if past behaviour is the best guide to future behaviour, then the PM's #ClosingTheGap speech has a few fine but very empty words, and nothing at all is about to change,

I think I'm done now.
{Flourishes cape, and exits dramatically}