This communique includes all 3 press releases: NACCHO,CTG campaign and National Congress plus;
Download the Close the Gap Shadow report (CTG Press release after NACCHO )
Download Prime Minister Close the Gap 2013 Report
Download the Prime Ministers speech
Download Tony Abbott Speech Leader of Opposition
Justin Mohamed the chair of NACCHO, the national authority in comprehensive Aboriginal primary health care with 150 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service members Australia wide, today welcomed the PM Julia Gillard’s report to Parliament, that clearly identifies that their membership was a major contributor to the Closing the Gap
Mr Mohamed said that the Closing the Gap report using evidence from National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Health Performance Framework 2012 highlighted the role of NACCHO members improving health outcomes and meeting the COAG set six ‘Closing the Gap’ Targets, including to achieve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life expectancy equality within a generation, and to halve the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander under-fives mortality rate gap within a decade.
“Closing the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and life expectancy is a multi-decade commitment that will span policy cycles, funding agreements and governments “Mr Mohamed said
We (NACCHO) call on the government and opposition during this election year to continue to demonstrate their bipartisan support and commitment to the CTG Statement of Intent by:
- the renewal of the National Partnership Agreement in Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes (that expires 30 June 2013) with the continued level of funding; and
- The NATSIHP should embody a new, rights-based and equality-focused mode of thinking and guide a multi-decade program of action if it is to be fit for purpose. Such a plan would be consistent with the multiparty commitment to close the gap by 2030.
- The federal election – that will be held on 14 September 2013, and is an opportunity to strengthen multi-party, long-term commitment to closing the gap by 2030.
“The challenges of this 2013 election will test our nation’s resolve and commitment to achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality – a long-term vision shared by all political parties. It’s now time to get behind a visionary, and yet practical, plan to reach that goal.” Mr Mohamed said
“While all parties have voiced support for health equality, now is the time to demonstrate how promises will be turned into actions with accountable results.”
Contact Colin Cowell NACCHO media for interviews etc M: 0401 331 251
2013 is make or break to Close the Gap by 2030
The Close the Gap campaign says three crucial commitments this year will make or break the achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander health equality by 2030.
Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda said this year is the juncture of three developments that together will give a strong indication if this target can be met.
“This year will see not only a Federal Election and the implementation of a new National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan but also the need for all governments – including states and territories – to recommit to the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes,” he said
“We need solid assurances from all parties that this funding – already providing tangible outcomes – will continue.
“This year’s Prime Minister’s report on Closing the Gap report comes amidst some promising signs of improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander health – a key focus of the Close the Gap Campaign, made up of Australia’s peak health and human rights bodies, which today publishes a ‘Shadow Report’ on the government’s progress to close the gap.
The campaign welcomed specific gains including:
– the target to halve the mortality rates for children under five appears to be on track
– significant increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing health services for chronic disease – which is the basis of the significant gap in health outcomes
– the work already underway to develop a long term health plan in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
– meeting the target for early childhood education access in remote communities
“Closing the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and life expectancy is a multi-decade commitment that will span policy cycles, funding agreements and governments. The Prime Minster noted the enormous challenges of meeting the life expectancy target. But, the nation expects commitments to be maintained and crucial investment to continue, until we close the gap,” said Commissioner Gooda.
Congress Co-Chair Jody Broun said implementing a new National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan is vital for the long term outlook.
“Implementing the plan must see a recommitment to the $1.57 billion Health National Partnership Agreement, which underpins all of the programs and services provided by Government and our own community-controlled organisations.
“The multiparty support shown through the Close the Gap Statement of Intent provides the basis for ongoing efforts and investment from all of all parties which must be continued over the long term,” she said.
Read the Close the Gap Steering Committee’s Shadow Report at: oxfam.org.au/closethegap or humanrights.gov.au
Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, and Jody Broun, Co-Chair, National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Co-Chair the Close the Gap Steering Committee. Committee members are: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation; Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association; Australian Indigenous Psychologists’ Association; Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses; Indigenous Allied Health Australia Inc.; Indigenous Dentists’ Association of Australia; National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation; National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers’ Association; National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Physiotherapists; National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples; National Coordinator – Tackling Indigenous Smoking ; National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee; The Lowitja Institute; Torres Strait Island Regional Authority; Australian College of Nursing; Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council; ANTaR; Australian Human Rights Commission; Australian Medical Association; Australian Medicare Local Alliance; The Fred Hollows Foundation; Heart Foundation Australia; Menzies School of Health Research; Oxfam Australia; Palliative Care Australia; Royal Australasian College of Physicians; Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Contact: Neeta Mairata 0417 957 525 (for Commissioner Gooda)
Liz Willis: 0457 877 408 (for Co-Chair Broun)
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National Congress 2013 Election platforms must detail action and include justice targets to Close the Gap
2013 Election platforms must detail action and include justice targets to Close the Gap Confirmation of core funding for programs to close the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and new targets to address over-representation in the criminal justice system must be part of the government’s Closing the Gap framework and reporting.
Along with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, Congress Co-Chair, Jody Broun and Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda will outline their priorities to political leaders today.
“This year’s election is the time for all parties to demonstrate how they will close the gap in health, education and justice by 2030,” said Co-Chair Broun.
Ms Broun and Mr Gooda will present to Parliamentarians the CTG Campaign’s Shadow Report 2013, a review of governments’ commitments to close the gap. The shadow report coincides with the tabling of the Government’s report and the Opposition’s reply in Parliament.
“The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians cannot fall victim to budget cuts or be propped up on short term drip funding. All parties must support multi-decade commitments that will span policy cycles, funding agreements and governments,” she said.
Improvements outlined in the Prime Minister’s 2013 report were welcomed including:
– meeting the target for early childhood education access in remote communities
– the target to halve the mortality rates for children under five appears to be on track
– significant increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing health services for chronic disease – which is the basis of the significant gap in health outcomes.
“These improvements point to what is possible. Now more than ever, all political parties must outline their programs and services to address the life expectancy gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our lifetimes,” said Mr Gooda.
“Most importantly we need to see a re-commitment from all parties to a National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes.
“The same level of commitment is required for the full roll out of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan which is due mid-year.
“The NPA and health plan form a crucial juncture at which multi-party, long-term commitment to closing the gap by 2030 is essential,” Mr Gooda said.
Congress called for the inclusion of justice targets in 2012 to help address the social determinants of health inequality.
“Over-representation of our peoples in the criminal justice system is both cause and effect for the poor state of health, education and employment of so many of our families and communities,” said Ms Broun.
“Congress has worked with our members, partners and peak legal bodies to adopt a Justice policy which includes a seventh and eighth target for Closing the Gap.
These are:
Target 7: Halve the rates of incarceration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Target 8: Halve the rate at which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples report having experienced physical or threatened violence with in the past 12 months.
“These targets would be strengthened by a Justice Reinvestment strategy of prevention and early intervention – a strategy which is now gaining momentum in Australia following its success overseas.
“Although there are many challenges and a long way to go, the finish line is within sight of a generation.
“Today and in the coming weeks and months we look to the nation’s leaders to take the steps needed to realise this vision. It is also time to ask ourselves, what can I do to Close the Gap by 2030?” she said.
Read the Shadow Report 2013 from the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee and the Congress Justice policy on our homepage nationalcongress.com.au
Stephen Gardner Wrote
“Unfortuantly both of the speeches were mainly political, each trying to score points, which is a shame, so at the end of the day not much change in that regard. Obviously ACCHS are a major contributor to closing the gap but as far as I know there is no real commitment to the ACCHS sector from either side. Despite both sides supporting the intent of closing the gap, the bueracracts seem to do something else mainstreaming programs, cost shifting, increasing red tape and reviewing funding. The current fiscal position will see funds moved even more. Despite this the ACCHS sector keeps performing and increasing services, well done.”
Another interesting thing is that the life expectancy of non Indigenous people have increased…does this mean that the gap is getting bigger or that the life expectancy of non Indigenous will be measured from the time of signing the statement of intent. If both Indigenous and non Indigenous life expectancy is increasing does this mean that the gap is closing due to more natural reasons and nothing to do with Government interventions.”
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