Rudd rejects criticism of Closing the Gap

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has rejected Scott Morrison's claim the Closing the Gap strategy is an "old approach" that had never been a partnership with indigenous Australians.

Mr Morrison on Wednesday delivered the 12th Closing the Gap report, which had been initiated by Mr Rudd following the historic apology to the Stolen Generations.

The report found only two of the seven goals, dealing with early childhood education and Year 12 attainment, were on track.

Mr Rudd told a breakfast in Sydney on Thursday the Closing the Gap strategy was part of the "broad march of history" which included the 1967 referendum, the land rights movement, the Mabo and Wik decisions, and the apology.

He provided some "respectful" advice to the prime minister, having read Mr Morrison's speech.

"One, no, Closing the Gap was not invented by a bunch of whitefellas. It was provided to us by the Aboriginal Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma's report of 2005," Mr Rudd said.

"The other thing I'd say to our prime minister is: yes, the goals associated with Closing the Gap should be the subject of permanent review as realities do change, including the methods which are deployed.

"But I'd also say this to the prime minister: No, prime minister, if you remove measurable goals altogether, and if you continue to withdraw funding from the realisation of those goals, is it any wonder that progress is not achieved."

The former Labor leader said any revamped Closing the Gap strategy without improved measures, data and funding, would be "bulls***".

Mr Rudd described One Nation leader Pauline Hanson as "someone devoid of a single compassionate bone in her body".

Senator Hanson told parliament on Wednesday the Closing the Gap strategy was a "joke", indigenous Australians lacked "commitment and responsibility", and many of the problems stemmed from "lazy parents".