Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs were largely spared from major cuts in this year's tough Federal Budget and will benefit from increased investment in health and mental health.

But there was little other significant investment in expanded or new programs to close the gap.

ANTaR has called on the federal Treasurer to make sure that necessary funding increases to address the unmet needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are not sacrificed in the push to quickly return the Budget to surplus.

ANTaR has called on the federal Treasurer to make sure that necessary funding increases to address the unmet needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are not sacrificed in the push to quickly return the Budget to surplus.

“ANTaR has provided a pre-Budget submission to Treasury detailing a range of areas where further funding is needed to address the Government’s stated goals and reduce Indigenous disadvantage,” Ms Phillips said.