South Australian peak body for Aboriginal health
Friday, June 18, 2010
State & Federal Governments Sign 4th Agreement on Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing in SA
The 4th Agreement on South Australian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing was signed this morning by the Hon. John Hill for the SA Government, the Hon. Warren Snowden for the Australian Government and Ms Yvonne Buza Chairperson of the Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. at Parliament House in Adelaide.
Together, the SA Department of Health, the Australian Department of Health and Ageing, and the Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. comprise the South Australian Aboriginal Health Partnership.
In representing all Aboriginal health services and health advisory committees in South Australia, Ms Buza said, “the Agreement is vital to meeting the health needs of Aboriginal people. It ensures governments know what the issues are in our communities and which programs and services are required to effectively address those issues”.
The Agreement is underpinned by the ‘Close the Gap’ Statement of Intent, the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce National Strategic Framework, the National Cultural Respect Framework and the National Principles for Service Delivery to Indigenous Australians.
The first Agreement was signed in 1996 and has been resigned since in 2001 and 2005. “Today’s 4th signing represents 14 years of the SA and Australian Governments working together with the Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health in South Australia,” Ms Buza said.
“This Agreement is particularly important in view of the national health reform initiatives as it ensures that the SA and Australian Governments are still committed to Aboriginal health in South Australia.”
The 2010-2015 Agreement provides a framework for the partners to work together in authentic partnership with Aboriginal people and communities, in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal people in South Australia.
ENDS. For further information contact: Mrs Mary Buckskin, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc., 08 8273 7200.
