Australia's prime minister has described as "devastating" a government report showing a growing gap between the economic and social conditions of the country's Aboriginal communities and non-indigenous people.

The report entitled "Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage" released on Thursday was meant to measure social and economic improvements among Australia's original inhabitants.

But instead it has highlighted the continuing and in come cases widening discrepancies affecting Australia's most disadvantaged minority.

Kevin Rudd, the Australian prime minister, told a meeting of federal and state government leaders in the city of Darwin that the report was "devastating", adding that it showed an urgent need for new strategies to close the gaps.

"We have to redouble and treble our efforts to make an impact," Rudd said.

"It is unacceptable and it requires decisive action.''

Child abuse

In 2003, the first year of the report, abuse in Aboriginal communities was said to be four times as likely.

It also shows there has been no improvement in literacy and numeracy since the last survey of Aboriginal living standards two years ago.

Indigenous Australians are also 13 times more likely to go to prison.

Aborigines make up about two per cent of Australia's 22 million population and are the poorest and unhealthiest minority.

The average life expectancy for a member of the Aboriginal community is at least 10 years shorter than other Australians.

Underspending

One positive note was on infant mortality, which the report said had improved for Aborigines in most states and territories.

However, it was still two to three times higher than for non-indigenous Australians.

Jenny Macklin, Australia's federal indigenous affairs minister, said there had been a history of government underspending in indigenous housing, education, health and employment.

"This report really does demonstrate the depth and the extent of the challenge in front of us," she said.