Remote and very remote Indigenous communities have become victims of a ‘wicked problem’. A combination of high impact factors that, when pooled together, are having devastating effects on communities. Education and employment rates in remote and very remote Indigenous communities put them on par with countries such Afghanistan, a nation devastated by over 19 years of war. Poor health outcomes and severe overcrowding in housing is more reminiscent of sub-Saharan Africa than one on the wealthiest nations on earth. Meanwhile, crime occurs at over twice the rate of the typical Australian suburb. Violent assaults and domestic violence are common, leaving families in fear and streets looking like warzones.

Using a thorough analysis of a wide range of data sources, this paper paints a picture of a situation is abhorrent and unacceptable. Were such conditions to exist in one of our major cities it would be a national crisis. The dire situation presented by this data stresses the need for effective policy interventions more than ever before.