Mr McADAM - 2003-02-27
Can the minister inform the House of initiatives which are being implemented to improve the health of indigenous children in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is nice to have a positive question. Certainly, this government is positive and forward looking, not like the people on the other side who are just looking into the past at all opportunities.
I have spoken in the House on a few occasions about additional resources we, as a government, have put into indigenous child health. Resources have been allocated to increase staffing with specialist child health skills to visit remote area communities, assisting staff on the ground to improve child health services within the communities. This is jobs in communities, a wonderful initiative from this government.
I am pleased to advise members that today I am meeting with Professor Fiona Stanley, Australian of the Year, and members of the Institute for Child Health Research to discuss an Aboriginal child health initiative. This initiative has received strong in-principle support at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in December 2002. A proposed partnership between the Institute for Child Health Research, Rio Tinto Ltd, the Commonwealth, Western Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory governments is recommended to work together aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of indigenous children and families across northern Australia. This is an excellent opportunity for a cross-jurisdictional approach at addressing an important commitment of this government: improving the health standards of indigenous Territorians.
We understand the close links between foetal and childhood ill-health, and the links with the development of chronic disease in later life. The Aboriginal Child Health Initiative will complement government commitments made to the current child health initiatives. Members of my department are also meeting with Professor Stanley and members of the Aboriginal Child Health Initiative. Discussions will clarify how this initiative can be implemented in the Northern Territory, ensuring that the implementation complements current Northern Territory government indigenous child health initiatives, and determining how the governments of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland can work together on this important health initiative. Once again, an important area which shows that we are working for all Territorians.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is nice to have a positive question. Certainly, this government is positive and forward looking, not like the people on the other side who are just looking into the past at all opportunities.
I have spoken in the House on a few occasions about additional resources we, as a government, have put into indigenous child health. Resources have been allocated to increase staffing with specialist child health skills to visit remote area communities, assisting staff on the ground to improve child health services within the communities. This is jobs in communities, a wonderful initiative from this government.
I am pleased to advise members that today I am meeting with Professor Fiona Stanley, Australian of the Year, and members of the Institute for Child Health Research to discuss an Aboriginal child health initiative. This initiative has received strong in-principle support at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in December 2002. A proposed partnership between the Institute for Child Health Research, Rio Tinto Ltd, the Commonwealth, Western Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory governments is recommended to work together aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of indigenous children and families across northern Australia. This is an excellent opportunity for a cross-jurisdictional approach at addressing an important commitment of this government: improving the health standards of indigenous Territorians.
We understand the close links between foetal and childhood ill-health, and the links with the development of chronic disease in later life. The Aboriginal Child Health Initiative will complement government commitments made to the current child health initiatives. Members of my department are also meeting with Professor Stanley and members of the Aboriginal Child Health Initiative. Discussions will clarify how this initiative can be implemented in the Northern Territory, ensuring that the implementation complements current Northern Territory government indigenous child health initiatives, and determining how the governments of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland can work together on this important health initiative. Once again, an important area which shows that we are working for all Territorians.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016