WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2004

LABOR’S INDIGENOUS POLICY FALLS SHORT ON HEALTH – SAYS ANTaR

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) expressed disappointment at Labor’s failure to adequately address the Indigenous health crisis in its Indigenous affairs policy released today.

“Unfortunately Labor has not recognised the extent of the crisis in Indigenous health and has not committed sufficient resources towards fixing it”, ANTaR National President, Phil Glendenning said.

“Labor’s commitment of $50 million falls far short of the additional $452.5 million a year identified recently by the AMA and Access Economics* as needed to address current under-funding in Indigenous health.

“How can we expect Indigenous Australians to climb the ladder of opportunity when they’re sick and dying.” Mr Glendenning commented.

“While Labor’s health commitment and the associated $75.5 million boost for Indigenous housing and infrastructure is more than offered by the Coalition, it is not enough.

“However, ANTaR welcomes Labor’s confirmation of its commitment to self-determination and to put in place a national elected Indigenous body and regional bodies, to be negotiated with Indigenous people.

“While we believe that this should have been achieved through the reform of ATSIC, the need for independent Indigenous representation and effective involvement in decision-making is essential.

“Labor’s policy in this regard provides a sharp contrast with that of the Coalition, which is committed to removing independent Indigenous representation and involvement in decision-making and returning to hand-picked advisers.

“ANTaR also welcomes Labor’s commitment to return Reconciliation as a central task of government.

“Labor’s policy also provides welcome commitments to reverse a range of adverse actions of the previous Howard governments on issues such as native title, the stolen generations and the tendering of legal services.

Media contact: Phil Glendenning 0419 013758; David Cooper 0418 486310

*Access Economics found that Indigenous health is currently under-funded by at least $452.5 million a year, including $400 million in primary health care alone. The report can be found at: http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-63Q9J7

The 2004/05 Commonwealth budget offered only $40 million over four years in additional spending on Indigenous primary health care – or $10 million a year – only 2.5% of what is required.

Current Commonwealth health expenditure on Indigenous Australians is less per capita than for other Australians.