[Greens-Media] WA’s gap in Aboriginal mortality is the nation’s worst / Cooperation needed to deliver better closing the gap outcomes

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

5 June 2013

Cooperation needed to deliver better closing the gap outcomes

The Australian Greens say more cooperation is needed between the states, territories and federal government to deliver better closing the gap outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Today’s COAG Reform Council report shows areas of improvement in some closing the gap targets, but not the broad improvement that we need,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues said today. 
“I am pleased to see figures to suggest child mortality rates are on track to be halved and that goals around year 12 education and early childhood education are also looking better. However, in regards to outcomes especially in relation to numeracy, clearly some work is still needed in the education system.

“In spite of this, mortality rates are double those of non-indigenous children, and the rate is triple in the Northern Territory. This is unacceptable in a supposedly first world nation, and shows there is still much work to be done.

“Efforts to improve closing the gap outcomes require strong, long term investment and cooperation between our governments that goes beyond politicking, beyond party lines and beyond state and federal bickering.

“The states, territories and federal government need to reach an agreement on the National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes, which received funding in the May budget. To date, only Victoria have signed up. 

“It is concerning that the other states and territories have not signed up, given that there is clear a need for them to do so. Minister Snowden yesterday said that the WA Government would not even enter into negotiations over the plan. As a Western Australian, this is very distressing to me.

“Closing the gap is an issue for everyone, and it needs to be treated as a priority if we are to meet these targets,” Senator Siewert concluded.



5 June 2013

WA’s gap in Aboriginal mortality is the nation’s worst

The Australian Greens have expressed very serious concerns that the WA Government has reportedly not entered into negotiations with the Federal Government on a new funding agreement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

“Today’s COAG Reform Council report shows that WA has the nation’s biggest discrepancy in mortality rates for Aboriginal people compared to non-Aboriginal people,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said today.

“Aboriginal people in our state are dying at the rate of 1322.1 per 100,000; whereas for non-Aboriginal people, the rate is 582.4.

“The difference itself is 783.7 people per 100,000 – the highest in the nation. While this gap is reducing, there is no published target for WA, so we cannot measure the progress being made.

“The mortality rate for Aboriginal children in WA is three and a half times that of other kids. While the gap is closing nationally, the discrepancy in WA is still very high. This is unacceptable and is a clear that we need to step up the effort. 
“It was revealed yesterday that the WA Government has been unwilling to enter into discussions about signing up to the new National Partnership on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes.

“New funding for this agreement was announced in the Federal budget, the Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon confirmed yesterday that the Government is ‘in negotiation with all but Western Australia, who have refused to talk to us’.

“As a West Australian, I find this deeply concerning, especially as we see the great disparity that exists in our state.

“Members of Mr Barnett’s Government must realise the importance of this agreement and the need to do more to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people across WA, in particular children.

“I strongly urge the WA Government to begin discussions to ensure this much needed funding is delivered,” Senator Siewert concluded.