The AH&MRC congratulates the Prime Minster and new Labor government on their election victory. The AH&MRC also extend its congratulations to the incoming Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Linda Burney, who will serve as a critical Indigenous voice in the Australian Parliament.
During its campaign, the ALP made a number of commitments in relation to Aboriginal health including:
- $52.9 million for a First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program to support up to 500 First Nations trainees to do Certificate III or IV accredited training as Aboriginal health workers or practitioners, with trainees to receive on the job experience and mentoring in local Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs);
- $45 million for better renal services in the city and bush that includes up to 30 four-chair dialysis units and $15 million for small-scale water infrastructure projects that improve access to clean water, critical for dialysis and also stopping the spread of Trachoma and other diseases;
- a renewed commitment to raise ambitions and ensure sustained progress on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap;
- investing in capital upgrades in Aboriginal community-controlled health services;
- improving housing in remote indigenous communities to support better health outcomes; and
- boosting workforce incentives for rural and regional GPs to support the engagement of nurses, allied health and other health professionals and provide multidisciplinary team-based care.
The AH&MRC welcomes these and the many other commitments made by the ALP which will be critical in closing the gap in Aboriginal health outcomes.
ACCHOs across the country have faced ongoing challenges in recent years, but have continued to
deliver high-quality integrated primary health care to Aboriginal communities. Labor’s commitments to
boost funding for the sector and build its workforce demonstrate the government’s understanding of the
central role that ACCHOs play in health service delivery.
The Sector looks forward to working in genuine partnership with the new government to improve health
outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
About us
The AH&MRC is the Peak Body for Aboriginal Health in NSW. We represent the views and interests of 48 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
Contact
policy@ahmrc.org.au
