Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) Welcomes Historic Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap
IAHA has welcomed the signing of an historic Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap between the Commonwealth Government, State and Territory Governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Bodies.
The Coalition of Peaks is made up of around forty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations that have come together to negotiate with governments and be signatories to the Partnership Agreement.
IAHA is a growing and strengths-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander membership organisation that supports and develops our vital health workforce. We are proud to be part of the Coalition of Peaks.
This Agreement means that for the first time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through their peak body representatives, will share decision making with governments on Closing the Gap.
“Shared decision making between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled representatives in the design, implementation and monitoring of Closing the Gap is essential to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said IAHA CEO, Donna Murray.
IAHA along with other Peak Organisations have long been calling for a greater role with governments on efforts to close the unacceptable gaps in life outcomes within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The Partnership Agreement sets out how governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peaks bodies will work together to agree a refreshed national agreement on Closing the Gap, including any new Closing the Gap targets and implementation and monitoring arrangements.
The Partnership Agreement also marks the establishment of a new, Joint Council on Closing the Gap that will be co-chaired by a Minister and a representative of the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Bodies.
“We have a lot of work to do, but through genuine engagement and a constructive partnership with governments we are in a position to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples,” IAHA CEO Donna Murray.
The Partnership Agreement can be accessed here – Final fact sheet
MEDIA CONTACTS: For more information or to arrange interviews contact Donna Murray on (02) 6285 1010 or donna@iaha.com.au
Download media release – Peaks Partnership Agreement Media Release 27-3-19
