[Greens-Media] Senate marks National Close the Gap Day

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

20th March 2014

Senate marks National Close the Gap Day

Media Release link - http://tinyurl.com/oy7omug

The Senate has marked National Close the Gap Day by urging federal, state and territory Governments to continue to work together to achieve important outcomes in health and life expectancy.
"National Close the Gap Day highlights the importance of action to address the unacceptable gap that remains in life expectancy and health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said today.

"I welcome the Senate's support of the motion put today by Senator Nova Peris and myself, which encourages the Government to deliver on the recommendations of the 2014 report of the Close the Gap Steering Committee.
"The Steering Committee has called for the implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive National Action Plan on health, and has highlighted the need for meaningful partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and health services.
"They point out that improving the quality and accessibility of health services and addressing the underlying causes of issues which impact on health, including housing and nutrition, needs to form part of a holistic approach to improving life expectancy.
"We have seen National Close the Gap Day grow stronger each year, and I congratulate all those people and organisations around the country who are participating in events today.
"I encourage all MPs to engage with the Close the Gap campaign and reaffirm their commitment to improving life expectancy and health outcomes across the country," Senator Siewert concluded.