Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Government and health bodies partner in ground-breaking summit to close the gap in Indigenous health
More than 100 representatives from peak Indigenous and mainstream health bodies, non-government organisations and the reconciliation movement will partner with the Australian Government in convening a National Indigenous Health Equality Summit from 18-20 March in Canberra.
The summit will be led by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma.
Commissioner Calma said the Indigenous Health Equality Summit has been developed by the ‘Close the Gap’ campaign, launched last April, which involves more than 40 organisations pushing for government commitments to fixing the tragedy of Indigenous health. The Summit is co-funded by these organisations and the Australian Government.
Mr Calma welcomed the commitment of the federal government to partner the non-government sector in developing targets and a plan of action to address one of the greatest challenges facing our nation.
“This coalition of organisations has been working for the last two years to put - and keep - the crisis in Indigenous health at the forefront of public and policy attention,” Mr Calma said. “We are pleased that the Government has acknowledged the seriousness of this challenge and committed to closing the gap in life expectancy within a generation. It is now time to develop the comprehensive plan of action and the partnerships necessary to achieve this.”
Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, said addressing Indigenous health equality was everybody’s business.
“It requires determined effort by all Australian governments, the mainstream and Indigenous health sectors and the broader community,” Ms Roxon said.
“This summit provides a platform for a new partnership into the future.”
Mr Calma said days 1 – 2 of the Summit would build on the existing commitments of governments around the country to develop targets and benchmarks for achieving health equality.
“Experts across the Indigenous and mainstream health sector and related fields, will be involved in discussions to provide a roadmap that identifies the tools needed to close the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.”
“The summit will identify timelines and targets for establishing equality of opportunity for Indigenous people to primary health care and health infrastructure within 10 years.”
The summit will then culminate in a public event at the Great Hall of Parliament House on 20 March with the Minister for Health and Ageing, other members of the government and Opposition, as well as Olympians Catherine Freeman and Ian Thorpe.
“This is a challenge Australia can meet. But only with determined action and partnership with Indigenous people. It is time to ‘Close the Gap’,” Mr Calma said.
Media contact: Louise McDermott on (02) 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597
