Recommendation 108

Australian governments fund and deliver a range of programmes aimed at improving access to services and addressing the inequalities faced by Indigenous people, including through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy. Information on the strategy and current programmes can be found on the Indigenous Advancement Strategy page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website. Information on relevant programmes can also be found on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child and Maternal Health page on the Department of Health website.

The Australian Government’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-23 is an overarching framework designed to focus investment and effort in improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ access to high quality, effective and culturally appropriate health care, and includes specific strategies for improving the health of children. The Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023 (the Implementation Plan), launched in October 2015, outlines the actions to be taken by the Australian Government, the Aboriginal community controlled health sector, and other key stakeholders to give effect to the vision, principles, priorities and strategies of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023. The next iteration of the Implementation Plan for 2018-23 will include content to address the social determinants and cultural determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. This is in recognition of the contributing role that non-health factors play in improving health outcomes. It is also an acknowledgement that a connection to culture is strongly correlated with good health, through strengthened identity, resilience and wellbeing. There are a number of initiatives underway to embed culturally appropriate care and service delivery.

Further information can be found on the Department of Health website.

In 2008, all Australian governments agreed to address the disadvantage faced by Indigenous Australians through the Closing the Gap framework. Work towards achieving the Closing the Gap targets, which include life expectancy, child mortality, early childhood education, literacy and numeracy, educational attainment and employment, continues.

The Prime Minister’s 2017 Closing the Gap Report can be found on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

Some targets are due to expire in 2018. Through the Council of Australian Governments, all governments have reaffirmed that improving the lives of Indigenous Australians is a strategic priority for the nation, and have agreed to consider a refreshed framework, targets and implementation principles for the Closing the Gap agenda.

For information on state and territory policies and programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
• New South Wales – Office of Communities—Aboriginal Affairs
• Northern Territory – Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Queensland – Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• South Australia – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Community Advice and Support
• Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Victoria
• Western Australia – Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage