[Greens-Media] Intergenerational report has nothing to offer for Aboriginal Australians

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Intergenerational report has nothing to offer for Aboriginal Australians

Following the release of his Intergenerational Report, Peter Costello is
worried about the superannuation of public servants, but the Greens are
concerned that most Indigenous Australians die before reaching
retirement age.

"The Intergenerational Report has missed an important ageing problem: on
average, Indigenous Australians die 17 years before non-Indigenous
Australians."

"The Treasurer is concerned about people taking early retirement, but
the sad reality is that most Indigenous Australians are dead before they
can retire," said Senator Siewert today.

"While Intergenerational Report has the Treasurer worried that
Australian women are having fewer babies, Indigenous women are worried
that their babies are more likely to die in Australia than Indigenous
babies from the USA or New Zealand."

"Australia can and must close the gap between the life-expectancy of
Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. That is the real
intergenerational challenge," concluded Senator Siewert.


	           
For more information or comment call 
Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025

Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au
http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au

RESCUE THE SENATE

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal Affairs

Monday 2nd April 2007