30 April 2008

Minister signs new Aboriginal Health Partnership Agreement

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today reaffirmed the Iemma Government's commitment to a genuine partnership with the Aboriginal community to tackle health issues when she signed the new Aboriginal Health Partnership Agreement.

Delivering the keynote address to the Aboriginal health research conference Strong Foundations…Strong Future, Ms Meagher said the partnership agreement laid the foundation for collaboration between NSW Health and Aboriginal organisations over the next five years.

"The Aboriginal Health Partnership Agreement provides a strong framework for NSW Health, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW and Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services to work together to deliver real improvements in health for Aboriginal communities," Ms Meagher said.

"Aboriginal Australians die 17 years earlier than non-Aboriginal Australians and Aboriginal infant mortality is three times that of non-Aboriginal Australians.

"This gap in health status is unacceptable.

"The Iemma Government is working to close the gap, and partnerships with Aboriginal health organisations and communities provide the best opportunity for us to make real progress."

Ms Meagher told the conference that the Aboriginal Health Partnership Agreement is informed by the Overarching Agreement on Aboriginal Affairs between the Federal and State governments as well as the NSW State Plan, the NSW State Health Plan and the NSW Aboriginal Affairs Plan Two Ways Together.

"But the development of plans and targets is not an end in itself," Ms Meagher said.

"The Iemma Government is investing an additional $30 million over four years toward improving health outcomes for Aboriginal communities so that we can close the gap in health status and life expectancy.

"Each year, the Iemma Government invests more than $60 million in Aboriginal-specific health services."

Ms Meagher also announced a new five-year funding agreement for the Sax Institute, which is hosting the Strong Foundations…Strong Future conference.

"The Sax Institute is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation which is widely recognised as a leader in bringing together health researchers and policy makers to work toward better health outcomes for the community," Ms Meagher said.

"One of the key objectives of the Sax Institute is to encourage health research in areas that will have direct practical application within our health system and, therefore, on people's health.

"The Iemma Government's $1.8 million a year investment in the Sax Institute ensures this vital research continues."

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au