The Australian Greens have today launched a package specifically aimed to Close the Gap on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health.

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Greens Aboriginal Health platform 2016 Elections

“Despite teary eyes and rhetoric from the old parties who talk regularly of Closing the Gap, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to experience poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous Australians”, Greens leader Richard Di Natale said today.

“As a doctor that has worked in regional communities on Aboriginal health it makes me incredibly pleased to put forward tangible solutions to the unnecessary health issues amongst our First Peoples. It was devastating having to treat health problems that could have been avoided.

Rachel Siewert Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said: “To meet our commitments to Close the Gap we need to act now. I think many nonindigenous Australians would be shocked to hear we can Close the Gap on eye health with a well-resourced national eye health strategy, the only reason it hasn’t happened is a lack of political will.

“The Greens are proud to announce a comprehensive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health package which will serve as an investment in helping to create healthy communities.

“The package commits $42.3m to work to limit preventable blindness; $99.8m to Close the Gap in hearing health; as well as $10m to address the challenges of chronic kidney disease. The time to genuinely act in this space is now”.