Mr GUNNER - 2011-11-23
The Henderson Labor government is committed to improving the health of Aboriginal Territorians. Can you please update the House on the achievements that have been made in Aboriginal health?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his very important question. Our government is committed to improving the health of all Territorians, particularly those with the highest needs; 30% of the population is Indigenous and this population is one of the sickest in the country.
We have record spending in the health budget; 60% goes to Aboriginal health, in our hospitals, the community, and public health. This is 25% higher than any other jurisdiction in Australia. It has doubled since 2001. We have real outcomes. I am pleased to say we have a four-and-a-half year improvement in life expectancy for Aboriginal women. The Indigenous infant mortality rate has improved by 37%. Anaemia rates for Aboriginal children have fallen by 20%. Survival rates for patients on renal dialysis are now equivalent to the rest of Australia.
We continue to make improvements. We have programs with the Australian government, which has allocated $50m to build seven new primary health care centres for remote communities at Robinson River; Ngukurr; Canteen Creek; Numbulwar; Elliott; Galiwinku; and Ntaria, and to upgrade four existing health clinics at Titjikala; Papunya; Maningrida; and Docker River.
The only person who finds it funny is the member for Fong Lim. Every other person believes that health is a serious issue for every Territorian.
We have constructed a 50-unit medi-hotel and 12-bed Indigenous mothers hostel at the Royal Darwin Hospital campus. We have a new emergency department for Gove Hospital, plus a 12-bed patient accommodation hostel. We upgraded the emergency department in Tennant Creek and expanded the renal unit. We upgraded the emergency department in Katherine, and have a new renal unit and 24-patient hostel in the design phase; the renal unit which the member for Katherine has opposed and is opposing. I recall some of the comments from the Mayor, and some councillors, that his comments were clearly racist.
We work very hard to improve the health of the sickest population in Australia; the Indigenous population. We have made real gains and will continue to work hard to ensure Indigenous Territorians receive the same health care as any other Australian in any Australian city.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his very important question. Our government is committed to improving the health of all Territorians, particularly those with the highest needs; 30% of the population is Indigenous and this population is one of the sickest in the country.
We have record spending in the health budget; 60% goes to Aboriginal health, in our hospitals, the community, and public health. This is 25% higher than any other jurisdiction in Australia. It has doubled since 2001. We have real outcomes. I am pleased to say we have a four-and-a-half year improvement in life expectancy for Aboriginal women. The Indigenous infant mortality rate has improved by 37%. Anaemia rates for Aboriginal children have fallen by 20%. Survival rates for patients on renal dialysis are now equivalent to the rest of Australia.
We continue to make improvements. We have programs with the Australian government, which has allocated $50m to build seven new primary health care centres for remote communities at Robinson River; Ngukurr; Canteen Creek; Numbulwar; Elliott; Galiwinku; and Ntaria, and to upgrade four existing health clinics at Titjikala; Papunya; Maningrida; and Docker River.
The only person who finds it funny is the member for Fong Lim. Every other person believes that health is a serious issue for every Territorian.
We have constructed a 50-unit medi-hotel and 12-bed Indigenous mothers hostel at the Royal Darwin Hospital campus. We have a new emergency department for Gove Hospital, plus a 12-bed patient accommodation hostel. We upgraded the emergency department in Tennant Creek and expanded the renal unit. We upgraded the emergency department in Katherine, and have a new renal unit and 24-patient hostel in the design phase; the renal unit which the member for Katherine has opposed and is opposing. I recall some of the comments from the Mayor, and some councillors, that his comments were clearly racist.
We work very hard to improve the health of the sickest population in Australia; the Indigenous population. We have made real gains and will continue to work hard to ensure Indigenous Territorians receive the same health care as any other Australian in any Australian city.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016