[Greens-Media] Greens welcome focus on urban Indigenous disadvantage

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Greens welcome focus on urban Indigenous disadvantage
Monday 28th April 2008
 
The Australian Greens today cautiously welcomed the Government's focus
on developing plans to fight clusters of Aboriginal poverty in cities.
 
"The gap in life expectance of 17 years and disadvantage is across all
Aboriginal people, not just those in regional and remote communities,"
said Greens spokesperson on Indigenous Issues, Senator Rachel Siewert.
 
"I'm glad that the Minister is breaking from the Howard agenda. The
Howard Government focused on remote Indigenous issues and ignored the
plight of the majority of Aboriginal people who live in urban areas.
There is a very real need to focus on Indigenous disadvantage in all
areas across Australia, which includes our cities and urban centres." 
 
"I hope that this signals a more inclusive and consultative approach. It
is important that the new Government doesn't continue to follow the path
of the racist NT intervention," she said.
 
"There needs to be a new approach led by the Federal Government looking
at the housing, education, health and infrastructure needs of Aboriginal
Australians, both in the bush and in the cities." 
 
"Ensuring equal access to affordable and appropriate services must be
the priority," said Senator Siewert.
 
"Right now for every dollar of PBS or MBS spent on other Australians,
only 40 cents is spent on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders'
health. This must change," she concluded.
 
For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au