Uplifting strong foundations: Why Stolen Generations visibility in Closing the Gap reporting matters

The Healing Foundation welcomes the Close the Gap campaign - 2026 report which reinforces the importance of essential reforms that prioritise Stolen Generations survivors. 

The report's recommendations highlight the critical importance for strategies for intergenerational healing for Stolen Generations survivors, descendants and communities that recognise the unique healing needs of Stolen Generations survivors, while promoting trauma-informed approaches for all First Peoples.

The Close the Gap campaign - 2026 report outlines that the need to develop a national strategy for intergenerational healing to address the ‘gap within the gap’ is foundational to achieving Closing the Gap outcomes. Four actions are outlined in the report:

•  Co-design the strategy with Stolen Generations representatives ACCO’s, and First Peoples leaders to ensure it reflects lived experience, community priorities and culturally safe practices.
• Include dedicated actions and measurable targets specifically addressing the distinct and ongoing healing needs of Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants, in line with recommendations from the Are You Waiting for Us To Die? report
• Embed complementary population-level healing approaches that promote  trauma-informed, culturally grounded services across health, education, justice, and family systems for all First Peoples.

Align the strategy with Closing the Gap implementation plans, ensuring that healing outcomes are explicitly recognised as foundational to improving life outcomes and are monitored through transparent accountability mechanisms.

Close the Gap Campaign – 2026 Report – a rallying cry for urgent action

The Healing Foundation Chair Professor Steve Larkin said the report represents a pivotal moment in the journey towards equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Stolen Generations survivors.

“The Close the Gap Campaign – 2026 Report is not merely a record of challenges; it serves as a rallying cry for urgent action. Governments have been advised on which strategies lead to success. The crucial question now is whether they will enact necessary legislation, allocate appropriate funding for reform, and be held accountable for fulfilling these commitments,” Professor Larkin said.

“It’s time to take the necessary actions to ensure that no one is left behind, especially Stolen Generations survivors. They deserve recognition, support, and a future where their health and wellbeing are prioritised.”

The Healing Foundation stresses that there remains an urgent need to explicitly recognise the Stolen Generations within national policy, data, and accountability frameworks.

“This needs to change. Survivors deserve this action now. Australia cannot close the gap without prioritising Stolen Generations survivors,” he emphasised.

Prioritising action to include survivors in reporting

Professor Larkin said one tangible action to close the gap for Stolen Generations survivors is to include data on Stolen Generations, and their descendants, in the Closing the Gap reporting dashboard.

“The Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap in 2025, highlighted that the experiences and outcomes of Stolen Generations survivors remain largely invisible within government systems.

“This inclusion is essential to ensure that their unique experiences and needs are appropriately addressed,” he said. 

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) research indicates that survivors and their descendants represent a “gap within the gap,” with poorer health, wellbeing, and socioeconomic outcomes compared to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. 

“Survivors and descendants comprise a large percentage of the adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population: targeted action could accelerate whole-of-community gains,” Professor Larkin said.

“The Healing Foundation, in collaboration with the Coalition of Peaks, is committed to ensuring that the voices of Stolen Generations survivors are part of national reforms. The message is clear: if the immediate needs of Stolen Generations aren’t prioritised now, then when will they be?” 

Next steps for governments

The Close the Gap Campaign – 2026 Report makes clear that governments must move beyond consultation and into genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by embedding First Nations leadership, accountability, and shared decision‑making across all systems, particularly those affecting Stolen Generations survivors.

The Healing Foundation CEO, Shannan Dodson, said meaningful progress depends on targeted action.

“We need dedicated measures and measurable targets that directly address the ongoing healing needs of Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants, as highlighted in our Are You Waiting for Us to Die? report.” 

She said this must be matched with holistic, trauma‑informed, culturally grounded healing approaches to ensure governments “do not miss the opportunity to finally make things right.”