3- 4 : Nunkuwarrin Yunti SA : Vacancy for 2x Counsellor/Narrative Therapist positions

Click here for link for more information

1x Counsellor/ Narrative Therapist – Harm Minimisation

This position is located within the Harm Minimisation Team. The Team aims to build healthy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by minimising the harm that substance misuse has on individuals, families and communities inclusive of responding to people who inject drugs and reducing the transmission of Blood Borne Viruses.

The purpose of this position is to reduce AOD related harms to individuals and their families by conducting assessments and providing a range of counselling interventions to assist clients and their family members to change harmful behaviours and increase their capacity to effectively manage the problems they are experiencing associated with AOD use and promote recovery.

Enquires to Trish Hickey – trishh@nunku.org.au

1x Counsellor/ Narrative Therapist – Mental Health Recovery

This position is located within the Mental Health Recovery Team and will be based in Nunkuwarrin Yunti offices at Christies Beach and Wakefield Street, Adelaide.

The Mental Health Recovery team provides counselling and support services which assist people to better manage a wide range of issues including grief & loss, depression, trauma, family and/or relationship matters, and any other issues which impact on psychological, social and emotional well-being.

The program also provides holistic, culturally appropriate case work. Narrative Therapists provide support, counselling and education to clients referred through the Primary Health Network, peer agencies, Nunkuwarrin Yunti or other sources of referral.

Enquires to Claire Fleckner, Team Manager – Mental Health Recovery team clairef@nunku.org.au

Applications closes COB 17^th July 2017.

Please send applications to Jynaya  jynayam@nunku.org.au

5. Policy Officer NATSIHWA

Award:                      NATSIHWA Enterprise Bargaining Award

Level:                        (pro-rata $110,004)

Appointment:       Contract to June 2018, extension subject to funding

Position Hours:     30.4 hrs per week (4xdays) permanent part-time

Updated:                 6/6/2017

Job specification

Position summary

The Policy Officer coordinates and undertakes policy development, providing analysis/review and advice, to support Organisational and/or Government policy initiatives and commitments.

Broadly, the position:

• undertakes research and analysis, reviewing alternatives in relation to policy deliverables, to contribute to the policy process and to inform decision making;
• provides a range of project management and support services, including preparation of discussion papers, briefs, submissions, progress and annual reports;
• contributes to the development and delivery of policy initiatives whilst preparing and reviewing policy advice to ensure alignment with NATSIHWA’s policy and strategic directions and priorities;
• undertakes communication with key stakeholders and coordinates working groups, committee meetings, and stakeholder consultations to support engagement as well as policy development and implementation;
• collates information for reporting, monitoring and evaluation purposes to contribute to the achievement of policy outcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners on a national basis.

The position will work closely and in partnership with other national peak bodies, RTO’s and relevant external stakeholders to progress NATSIHWA priorities, including to enable, attract and retain growth in a sustainability Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners workforce.

Line management

The Policy Officer reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Special conditions

• This is a Canberra-based position Primary responsibilities include;

1. On behalf of the CEO and membership, interpret National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan and other relevant documents and develop policy responses as required.
2. Identify and pursue opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with relevant stakeholders on initiatives aligned with NATSIHWA priorities.
3. Assist with implementation of advocacy and promotion strategies in line with NATSIHWA priorities.
4. Represent NATSIHWA on external working groups, committees, forums or events as delegated, and report on the outcomes.
5. Support the development and implementation of the NATSIHWA three-year Strategic Plan, Annual Activity Plan, Annual Report and Evaluation Strategies.
6. Support the development and implementation of the NATSIHWA Communication Strategy.
7. Assist in identifying and implementing self-generating funding initiatives to support NATSIHWA’s sustainability into the future.

Person specification

• Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their leaders, respecting cultural values and ways of doing business.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a wide range of audiences on a range of sensitive and complex issues, especially with regard to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• The ability to interpret and identify key information within policy and other relevant publications relevant to the sector and its members.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with various audiences and across a range of approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team, identify performance outcomes, plan activities and set priorities to achieve agreed objectives and meet timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately exercise initiative and judgement, and recognise, mitigate and resolve conflict.
• As part of a small, dynamic team have the ability to think independently to influence change for the sector.
• Proven ability to work independently under broad direction.

Experience

• Experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities in the health sector.
• Experience in the use of information technology, including word processing packages, electronic mail, databases, spread-sheets and PowerPoint presentations.Closing date: 14/7/2017
• To apply please contact sao@natsihwa.org.au for a position description

6.Nunkuwarrin Yunti Tackling Tobacco Care Coordinator

Join Us to Further Reduce Smoking in the Aboriginal Community

• Become part of a successful team improving health outcomes for Aboriginal communities in Adelaide
• Provide culturally smoking cessation support making a positive difference to people’s lives
• Competitive remuneration HSL 4 plus salary sacrifice options

About the Organisation

Nunkuwarrin Yunti is the foremost Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation in Adelaide, South Australia, providing a range of health care and community support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

First incorporated in 1971, Nunkuwarrin Yunti has grown from a welfare agency with three employees to a multi-faceted organisation with over 100 staff who deliver a diverse range of health care and community support services.

Nunkuwarrin Yunti aims to promote and improve the health and well-being of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the greater metropolitan area of Adelaide and to advance their social, cultural, and economic status. The Organisation places a strong focus on a client-centered approach to the delivery of services, and a collaborative working culture to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients.

About the Opportunity

Nunkuwarrin Yunti has an exciting opportunity for a Tobacco Care Coordinator to join their team in Adelaide on a full-time basis, as part of our Tackling Tobacco program. The initial position is up to December 2017, as the role is subject to ongoing funding. The program has been undertaken since 2010.

With the support of the Tackling Tobacco team this position will utilise approaches to provide effective and evidence based tobacco screening, assessment, quit support and referral programs to clients, staff, and community members who use tobacco. The position will be responsible for supporting health services to talk with clients about smoking and readiness to quit, develop/review clinical guidelines, organise/deliver training to staff, coordinating/ responding to referrals received and ensuring follow up with clients is conducted as per the program plan.

Under direction the primary role of the Tackling Tobacco Care Coordinator is to:

•  Participate in the planning, development, implementation and promotion of services through the establishment of appropriate plans to ensure services are delivered in a culturally safe manner
• Utilise tailored approaches to provide expert advice and support to individuals and groups that promotes the harms of smoking, tobacco cessation techniques and Nicotine replacement therapies.
• Initiate relationships with other service providers to support referrals and referral pathways
• Coordinate and ensure scheduled follow up is provided to referrals received into the program
• Coordinate, deliver and undertake community education programs and activities
• Contribute to policy and procedure development related to tobacco interventions
• Provide support to lower level staff within the tobacco program as required, particularly in the delegation and scheduling of client follow ups.
• Work collaboratively with other community support and health teams on a daily basis to ensure quality services are delivered to clients

Please include your CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) addressing the following 3 questions:

1. What skills, strengths and experience would you bring to the role? Please also comment on your knowledge and understanding relating to Tobacco use within the Adelaide Metropolitan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community.
2. Please outline your experience in working with Aboriginal clients regarding their smoking behaviour and how you would work with individuals to encourage them to stop smoking?
3. This position is responsible for ensuring a high number of referrals are made to the Tobacco program. Please outline what strategies you would implement for both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that this is achieved?

For a Copy of the Job Description Click Here

Further information:  Contact Andrew Schultz, Team Manager – Population Health (Tobacco) – 8406 1600

 Written Application and Current CV to be lodged to Human Resource Administration Officer – Ms Jynaya Smith (jynayam@nunku.org.au) by 5:00pm Friday 14^th July 2017.

Join our interdisciplinary panel as we explore a collaborative approach to reducing the mental health impact of Indigenous incarceration on people, communities and services.

The webinar format will include a facilitated question and answer session between panel members exploring key issues and impacts of incarceration on individuals, families and communities.

The panel will discuss strategies to enhance cultural awareness and develop responsive services for Indigenous communities affected by incarceration. Strategies to increase self-esteem and enhance emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing of individuals will also be explored.

Register HERE

4 August each year, Children’s Day

SNAICC has announced the theme for this year’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s day

Held on 4 August each year, Children’s Day has been celebrated across the country since 1988 and is Australia’s largest national day to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The theme for Children’s Day 2017 is Value Our Rights, Respect Our Culture, Bring Us Home which recognises the 20th anniversary of the Bringing them Home Report and the many benefits our children experience when they are raised with strong connections to family and culture.

2nd World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Viral Hepatitis in Anchorage Alaska in August 2017 after the 1st which was held in Alice Springs in 2014.

Download Brochure Save the date – World Indigenous Hepatitis Conference Final
Further details are available at https://www.wipcvh2017.org/

 ” The overall goal of the national Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) program is to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through local population specific efforts to reduce harm from tobacco.

The purpose of this preliminary report is to provide a mid-term evaluation of progress to date in implementing the first year of the three year (2015-2018) TIS program.

The TIS programme with a budget of $116.8 million over 3 years ($35.3 million in 2015-16; $37.5 million in 2016-17 and $44 million in 2017-18) was announced by the Government, on 29 May 2015.”

Download 133 page PDF report Here :

NACCHO Download Dept Health Tackling Indigenous Smoking Evaluation June 2017

” The report found the program is operating effectively, using proven approaches to change smoking behaviours, and delivering evidence-based local tobacco health promotion activities. I am pleased the report recommends it continues,

Smoking is the most preventable cause of disease and early death among Aboriginal people and accounts for almost one-quarter of the difference in average health outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

“The program provides grants in 37 urban, rural, regional and remote areas to assist local communities to develop localised anti-smoking campaigns ”

Minister Ken Wyatt

Read over 100 plus NACCHO articles published in past 5 years

This mid-term evaluation looks at progress to date of the TIS program, particularly in terms of regional grants delivering localised Indigenous tobacco interventions.

Source of intro

See list all 35 Recipients below

It does not look at long-term impact in relation to a reduction of smoking rates at a national level.

Findings focus on (see in full below 1-9)

• the shift to TIS
• community engagement and partnerships
• localised health promotion
• access to quit support
• contribution to evidence base
• National Best Practice Unit and TIS portal
• governance and communications.

A number of key recommendations emerging from the evaluation are included in the report.(see Below Part 2)

Findings

1. Shift to TIS

Since the implementation of the TIS program, all grant recipients are primarily focused on planning for, and/or delivering, targeted and tailored activities that directly address reduction of smoking prevalence within communities.

For some grant recipients, broader health promotion activities without a clear link to tobacco reduction have dropped off significantly as a result of the shift to TIS, whilst for others the integration of healthy lifestyle and tobacco control strategies has been successful. There are varying degrees of clarity among grant recipients about the extent to which there is flexibility to tap into healthy lifestyle activities under the new guidelines.

2.Community engagement and partnerships

Community engagement and involvement in the design and planning of localised TIS programs is a key priority for grant recipients, and a key indicator of successful TIS activities.

While challenges were identified in terms of handling competing priorities in community, adhering to cultural protocols, and the change in focus of the TIS program and uncertainty about ongoing funding, in the main, grant recipients have demonstrated substantial progress in involving community in design and planning and garnering support for TIS activities.

This is evidenced by the popularity of community events hosted/attended by the TIS team and the proactivity of local community and Elders in advocating for tobacco control.

The success of the TIS program and the capacity for grant recipients to operate as a multi-level population health program in their region is highly dependent upon the quality and reach of partnerships between grant recipients and other agencies/organisations.

Whilst challenges to regional collaborations were reported, overall there has been a noticeable increase in the reporting of grant recipient collaboration and partnerships, representing an important shift to both a wider regional focus and wider community approach to tobacco reduction.

3.Localised health promotion

At the local level, a range of multi-component health promotion activities around tobacco control are being undertaken by grant recipients, in collaboration with external stakeholders. Local partnerships are crucial to the successful implementation of localised health promotion activities through facilitating access to priority populations, supporting capacity-building and enabling a broader population reach to achieve awareness and understanding of the health impacts of smoking and quitting pathways. viii

Increased levels of community support and ownership for local solutions to tackling Indigenous smoking are being seen across the TIS sites.

4.Community education

Community education, is being undertaken by all grant recipients. This manifests in a range of ways, including health promotion activities at community/sporting events, drama shows and comedy and social marketing.

The involvement of local champions and Elders in local education and awareness raising events and activities is recognised as central to tobacco control messages resonating with target audiences.

It has also been recognised that targeting priority groups, such as young people and pregnant women, requires the adaptation of messages so that they resonate with those groups.

Grant recipients are partnering with key local organisations (e.g. schools, other AMS etc.) to overcome some of the challenges around access to these priority groups.

Many grant recipients have established or showed progress in establishing social marketing campaigns to supplement other health promotion activities. Campaigns are developed largely through a strength-based approach, with ‘local faces and local places’ taking precedence. Grant recipients have acknowledged the challenges in measuring the impact of social marketing campaigns although some are demonstrating a commitment to collecting data on awareness, and influences on motivations and attempts to quit.

5.Smoke-free environments

An area that has been recognised by grant recipients as requiring attention is the promotion and establishment of smoke-free environments, particularly in rural and remote locations. Modelling smoke-free environments within the grant recipients’ own workplace is one way in which this issue is being addressed, with some evidence of success.

Challenges to the implementation of smoke-free workplaces include getting support from senior leaders or Board members who smoke, and organisations where tobacco control is not the main priority. Monitoring the compliance of smoke-free environments presented an additional challenge to grant recipients. Some external organisations have requested support to become smoke-free, and successful examples of smoke-free environments including smoke-free community events are evident.

Shifting attitudes around second-hand smoke (e.g. smoking indoors and in cars) and some evidence of behaviour change were reported by grant recipients and community members.

6.Access to quit support

TIS funded organisations are encouraged to take a systems approach to activity planning. The TIS program is part of a larger preventive health care system, all connected in different ways such as through referral pathways, and client appointments.

A key component of the TIS program is therefore enhancement of referral pathways and promoting access to quit support. Grant recipients have developed a range of opportunities for community members to achieve smoking cessation, with referral pathways having been established in two key areas: clinic-based referrals within their organisation and referrals made during localised TIS health promotion activities.

For some, successful referral pathways are dependent upon grant recipients partnering with external organisations.

Improving access to culturally appropriate support to quit has been a key focus of the grant recipients over the past 12 months.

Quitline enhancements are a component of the TIS program and data suggests that referrals to Quitline are higher in urban and some rural areas. Continuing to build strong partnerships between grant recipients and Quitline will be key to increasing referrals from local TIS programs into Quitline where appropriate.

Another key focus for grant recipients has been in increasing the skills of TIS workers and other professionals in contact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide smoking cessation education and brief interventions. Quits kills training, and other smoking cessation education programs, have been accessed to support this goal.

7.Contributions to evidence base

The shift to delivering activities based in evidence and focusing more on outcomes than outputs has been welcomed by grant recipients, in the main, and has provided greater direction for activities and a goal to work towards.

A range of activities were undertaken by grant recipients to develop or strengthen their evidence base and work towards measurable outcomes. Collecting data remained challenging for some remote grant recipients operating in contexts with low literacy levels and where English is not the first language. Health service grant recipients wanting to collect population level data was also challenging when services are operating on different databases within a region and where there was an unwillingness to share data.

Overall, grant recipients expressed a willingness to focus on outcomes, and the confidence and capability to obtain data, although interpreting and reporting on data was presented as a challenge.

8.National Best Practice Unit and TIS portal

Advice and guidance around monitoring, measuring and further improving local TIS programs is provided to grant recipients through the NBPU TIS. Grant recipients have indicated that they value the support and advice provided through the NBPU TIS and this has aided in building their confidence and capacity to undertake monitoring and evaluation activities.

Some grant recipients reported that an additional level of support from NBPU TIS was needed. Resistance to change is common in any business when new processes are set in place. NBPU TIS therefore expected, and has witnessed, some resistance to this change. However, it continues to engage with grant recipients and support significant processes of change, not just reporting and compliance.

Another component of the work of the NBPU TIS is the development and ongoing maintenance and improvement of the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Resource and Information Centre (TISRIC) and its home, the TIS Portal (hosted by Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet).

Information and resources to support grant recipients in planning, monitoring, and evaluating activities, as well as information on workforce development is provided through the TIS Portal.

In addition, the Portal hosts an online forum (TIS Yarning Place) that enables grant recipients from across the country to share information and ask questions. Evaluation findings suggest that, whilst grant recipients are utilising the TIS Portal, some grant recipients have identified opportunities to enhance the useability of the TIS Portal.

9.Governance and communications

Various components of support are provided to grant recipients by the department and the NBPU TIS regarding the new focus and priorities and expectations of the TIS program.

To ensure consistent program messaging, and to enhance performance reporting, a range of initiatives were undertaken in the latter half of 2016 to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the various ‘players’ in the national TIS program.

The loss of experienced staff due to funding uncertainty has represented a significant challenge for several grant recipients in their planning and implementing activities.

Particularly in remote areas, recruitment has been an issue for many grant recipients due to the mix of skills demanded of TIS staff. Grant recipients report continued issues attracting and retaining staff with only short term contracts under the new TIS program.

Despite these concerns, indications are that providing grant recipients are given sufficient time and support to execute their Action Plans, they are on track for achieving stated tobacco reduction outcomes. The key risk to this is workforce stability, which would be mitigated by timely advice about the outcome of ongoing funding arrangements.

A number of key recommendations have emerged out of the evaluation findings:

Overall recommendations

1. Department: The TIS program in its current form should be continued, with a move away from short-term funding cycles.

2. Department: Provide immediate advice about the funding of TIS from June 2017 to end of current funding cycle.

Shift to TIS

3. Department: Provide clarity around what is allowable in relation to healthy lifestyle activities within the current iteration of the TIS program  Community engagement and partnerships

4. Grant recipients: Continue to broker partnerships and leverage relationships.

5. NBPU TIS: Continue to build capability of grant recipients to broker partnerships and leverage relationships through the distribution and promotion of relevant resources.

Community education and awareness

6. Grant recipients: Continue to identify and prioritise key groups, especially pregnant women.

7. Grant recipients: Ensure evidence-based best practice community education models (including monitoring and evaluation approaches) are sought and adopted where appropriate.

8. NBPU TIS: Ensure the evidence-based best practice community education models (including monitoring and evaluation approaches) are available, particularly for priority target groups such as pregnant women and activities around social marketing.

Smoke-free environments

9. Grant recipients: Continue to explore implementing smoke-free workplaces and enhance support for smoke-free public spaces.

10. National Coordinator: Lead a dialogue between regional leaders, including CEOs, Board members of TIS and non-TIS funded organisations around establishing smoke-free environments.

Access to quitting support

11. Grant recipients: Continue to strengthen partnerships with Quitline and other quit support structures where appropriate.  Contribution to larger evidence base

12. Grant recipients: Build on routine and existing data sources to reduce data collection burden.

National support

13. Grant recipients: Continue to seek feedback from NBPU TIS regarding M&E activities where required.

14. NBPU TIS: Continue to respond to feedback from GRs around M&E needs and TIS portal content and use ability.

15. Department: Articulate the role of the National coordinator  in the context that the program has evolved and as such his role has evolved. Governance and communication

16. Department: Provide greater clarification of TIS funding parameters, especially in terms of incorporation of healthy lifestyle activities and one-on-one smoking cessation support.

The Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) regional tobacco control grants aim to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through population health activities to reduce tobacco use. It is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH).

At the end of 2015, a number of organisations were notified of their success in gaining a TIS grant for culturally appropriate tobacco cessation programs. The grants were awarded to a variety of service providers across the nation.

The 35 organisations that have commenced their programs are:

• Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc. (AHCSA) (SA)
• AHCWA The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (WA)
• Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation (NT)
• Apunipima Cape York Health Council (Qld)
• Awabakal Ltd (NSW)
• Bega Garnbirringu Health Services (WA)
• Bullinah Aboriginal health Service (NSW)
• Carbal Medical Centre (Qld)
• Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation (NT)
• Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-operative Limited (Vic)
• Danila Dilba Health Service (NT)
• Flinders Island Aboriginal Association Inc (FIAAI) (TAS)
• Galambila Aboriginal Health Service (NSW)
• Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (WA)
• Grand Pacific Health Limited (NSW)
• Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service (NSW)
• Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (QLD)
• Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation (NT)
• Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Incorporated (WA)
• Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA) (Vic)
• Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation (NSW)
• Mawarnkarra Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (WA)
• Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation (NT)
• National Centre of Indigenous Excellence Limited (NSW)
• Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (NHS) (WA)
• Nganampa Health Council (SA)
• Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc. (SA)
• Pangula Mannamurna Inc. (SA)
• Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS) (WA)
• South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation (NSW)
• Sunrise Health Service (NT)
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. (VACCHO) (Vic)
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) (Vic)
• Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (NSW)
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service (ACT).

With the program funding provided until 2018, the successful organisations will work towards the intended outcomes of the TIS programme, including:

• encouraging community involvement in and support for local tobacco control activities
• increasing community understanding of the dangers of smoking and chewing tobacco
• improving knowledge, skills and a better understanding of the health impacts of smoking.

 ” Djapiri said Bill and I are in the same canoe and on this issue we certainly are – but we are not alone, we are not alone in the canoe. We are in the same canoe with all of you as well and we need to steer it wisely to achieve our goal, to achieve that goal of Makarrata.

Beyond Constitutional Recognition, that work continues every day. I reflect on the Makarrata discussion of the late 70’s and 80’s. A list of demands was sent to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in 1981. It called for rights to land and resources, compensation, the creation of Aboriginal schools, medical centres and an Aboriginal bank.

Despite a final agreement not being reached at the time, we have achieved some of the policies called for. The Commonwealth provided $433 million to 137 Aboriginal Medical Services across the country last financial year.

As Prime Minister I will continue to do all I can to ensure that being an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian means to be successful, to achieve, to have big dreams and high hopes, and to draw strength from your identity as an Indigenous person in this great country.

That’s why, as we renegotiate the Closing the Gap targets with the various state and territory jurisdictions later this year, my Government has insisted on a strengths based approach.

Indigenous people are not a problem to be solved.

You are our fellow Australians. Your cultures are a gift to our nation.”

Selected extracts from the full Prime Minister Speech 5 August Garma see Part 2 Full Speech

Download full copy Garma 2017 PM full Speech

” Djapirri said, she told me of a dream of a canoe, paddled by the Prime Minister and myself.

That in itself is an arresting image. Two captains. But in all seriousness, we appreciated I think the power of that illusion, the power of that dream.

Here at Garma, on the lands of the Gumatj, we gather to talk about a Yolngu word. Makarrata.

It is not just now a Yolngu word – I put it to you it’s a national test.

Coming together, after a struggle.

And for the first Australians, it has been a very long struggle indeed.

– A struggle against dispossession and discrimination, exclusion and inequality.

– A struggle against violence and poverty, disease and diminished opportunity.

– A struggle for better health, for better housing, for safer communities, more jobs, for longer lives.

– A struggle against injustice and racism: from the sporting field to the courts of our land.

Above all, a struggle for a better future for their children: a struggle to be counted, to be heard, to be recognised.

At Uluru, you gave us the statement from the heart.

A call for:

– A voice enshrined in the Constitution

– A declaration to be passed by all parliaments, acknowledging the unique place of the first nations in Australian history, their culture, their connection.

– And a Makarrata Commission to oversee a process of agreement-making and truth-telling.

All three of these objectives speak to the long-held and legitimate aspirations of our First Australians:

– A proper acknowledgment of Aboriginal histories and the dispossession that followed upon the arrival of the Europeans

– A bigger say in the issues which affect you – no more ‘solutions’ imposed without consultation or consent

And a more lasting settlement, a new way forward, a new pathway including through treaties.

These ideas are not new – but the Uluru statement did articulate these with new clarity, a new passion, a new sense of truth and purpose “

Selected extracts The Hon Bill Shorten speech  Garma 5 August 2017 see in full Part 3 Below

Download full speech Garma 2017 PM full Speech

Part 1 Media Coverage

View NITV Media coverage

When it comes to Aboriginal constitutional reform, picture Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten sitting in a canoe – and the opposition leader thinks he’s the only one paddling.

The Labor leader has backed a referendum question on an indigenous voice to parliament, while the prime minister has failed to commit bipartisan support.

The two politicians are moving together downstream, struggling to balance the boat to achieve reconciliation, Gumatj leader Djapirri Mununggirritj has told Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land.

Mr Shorten called it an “arresting image” but said he was disappointed Mr Turnbull dismissed his end of year referendum question deadline as “very ambitious”.

“We support a declaration by all parliaments, we support a truth telling commission, we are not confronted by the notion of treaties with our first Australians,” he said.

Mr Turnbull acknowledged many Aboriginal leaders were disappointed the government didn’t give “instant fulfilment” to the Referendum Council’s recommendations.

He described the Yolgnu elder’s canoe analogy as apt, saying his cabinet will give the matter careful consideration to keep the aspiration of Makarrata, or coming together after a struggle, from capsizing.

An “all or nothing approach” to constitutional change risks rocking the boat, resulting in a failed referendum, and Mr Turnbull called for time to develop a winnable question to put to Australian voters.

“We are not alone in the canoe, we are in the canoe with all of you and we need to steer it wisely to achieve that goal of Makarrata,” he said.

Mr Turnbull said there’s still many practical questions about what shape the advisory body would take, whether it would be elected or appointed and how it would affect Aboriginal people around the country.

Specifically, he questioned what impact the voice to parliament would have on issues like child protection and justice, which are largely the legislative domain of state and territory governments.

But Mr Shorten said debate over Aboriginal recognition in the nation’s founding document has dragged on for the past decade.

“I can lead Mr Turnbull and the Liberal party to water but I can’t make them drink,” he said.

Having led the failed 1999 republic referendum campaign, Mr Turnbull warned that Australians are “constitutionally conservative”, with just eight out of 44 successful since federation.

But Mr Shorten said “Aboriginal Australians do not need a balanda [white person] lecture about the difficulty of changing the constitution”.

Mr Shorten’s proposal of a joint parliamentary committee to finalise a referendum question has been met with cynicism by indigenous leaders.

The Above AAP

 Part 2 PRIME MINISTER Garma SPEECH :

Ngarra buku-wurrpan bukmak nah! Nhuma’lanah.

Ngarra Prime Minister numalagu djal Ngarra yurru wanganharra’wu nhumalangu bukmak’gu marrigithirri.

Ngarra ga nhungu dharok ga manikay’ ngali djaka wanga’wu yirralka.

I acknowledge and pay respect to your country, and your elders.

As Prime Minister, I’m here to talk to you and learn from you.

I acknowledge and respect your language, your song lines, your dances, your culture, your caring for country, and your estates.

I pay my respects to the Gumatj people and traditional owners past, present and future, on whose land we are gathered.

I also acknowledge other Yolngu people, First Peoples from across the country and balanda here today including Bill Shorten, Nigel Scullion and all other Parliamentary colleagues but above all I acknowledge our Parliamentary colleagues, Indigenous Parliamentary colleagues. Truly, voices of First Australians in the Parliament. Thank you for being here today and for the wisdom you give us, you together with my dear friend Ken, so much wisdom in the Parliament.

I offer my deep respect and gratitude to the Chairman of the Yothu Yindi Foundation, Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu for hosting Lucy and me with your family. It was lovely to camp here last night and the last music was beautiful, serene and like a lullaby sending us all off to our dreams. Thank you. Emily was the last singer – beautiful.  And of course we woke here to the beautiful sounds of Gulkala.

I again as I did yesterday extend our deep condolences to the family of Dr G Yunupingu at this very sad time. He brought the Yolngu language to the people of Australia and his music will be with us forever.

I’ve come here to North East Arnhem Land to learn, participate respectfully and can I thank everyone so far I’ve had the chance to talk with. I am filled with optimism about our future together as a reconciled Australia.

Last month scientists and researchers revealed new evidence that our First Australians have been here in this land for 65,000 years.

These findings show that Indigenous people were living at the Madjedbebe rock shelter in Mirarr Country, at Kakadu east of Darwin, 18,000 years earlier than previously thought.

Among the middens, rock paintings, remains, plants and ochre, was the world’s oldest-known ground-edge axe head.

These findings place Australia on centre stage in the story of human origin, including mankind’s first long-distance maritime voyage – from Southeast Asia to the Australian continent.

Our First Peoples are shown as artistically, as technologically advanced, and at the cutting edge of technology in every respect.

Importantly, they confirm what Aboriginal people have always known and we have known – that your connection, your intimate connection to the land and sea are deep, abiding, ancient, and yet modern.

This news is a point of great pride for our nation. We rejoice in it, as we celebrate your Indigenous cultures and heritage as our culture and heritage – uniquely Australian.

As Galarrwuy said yesterday as he spoke in Yolngu, he said: “I am speaking in Australian.” Sharing, what a generosity, what a love, what a bigness he showed there as he does throughout his life and his leadership.

I want to pay tribute to the work of so many of you here today, who are leading the healing in communities, building bridges between the old and new, and looking for ways to ensure families and communities are not just surviving, but thriving.

Particularly the Indigenous leaders who every day wear many hats, walk in both worlds, and yet give tirelessly for their families and their communities. You often carry a very heavy load, and we thank you.

Where western astronomers look up at the sky and look for the light, Yolngu astronomers look also deep into the dark, using the black space to uncover further information, to unravel further mysteries.

So while we are both looking at the night sky, we are often looking at different parts. And yet through mutual respect, sharing of knowledge and an openness to learning, together we can see and appreciate the whole sky.

Those same principles are guiding us toward Constitutional Recognition.

The final Referendum Council report was delivered, as you know, on the 30^th of June. Bill Shorten and I were briefed by the Referendum Council two weeks ago. The report was a long time coming and I know some would like an instant fulfillment of its recommendations.

Let me say, I respect deeply the work of the Referendum Council and all of those who contributed to it, and I respect it by considering it very carefully and the Government is doing so, in the first instance with my colleagues, including Ken Wyatt the first Indigenous Australian to be a Federal Minister, and together we consider it with our Cabinet. That is our way, that is our process, that is how we give respect to serious recommendations on serious matters.

And I do look forward to working closely and in a bipartisan way with the Opposition as we have done to date.

Djapiri said Bill and I are in the same canoe and on this issue we certainly are – but we are not alone, we are not alone in the canoe. We are in the same canoe with all of you as well and we need to steer it wisely to achieve our goal, to achieve that goal of Makarrata. Thank you again Galarrwuy for that word.

We share a sense of the significance of words. I love words and language. There is a great definition. What is the difference between poetry and prose? The best definition of poetry that I have ever found is that which cannot be translated, it can only be felt.

The Referendum Council’s report as Marcia reminded us is the fourth major report since that time and it adds immensely to the depth of knowledge. It gave us the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and I congratulate all those who attended on reaching an agreement. That was no small task.

It tells us that the priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is to resolve the powerlessness and lack of self-determination experienced – not by all, but certainly by too many.

I have been discussing it with leaders, the leaders of our First Australians and will continue to do so as we develop the next steps.

But there are still many questions:

What would the practical expression of the voice look like? What would the voice look like here for the Yolngu people? What would it look like for the people of Western Sydney, who are the largest population of Aboriginal peoples in Australia?

Is our highest aspiration to have Indigenous people outside the Parliament, providing advice to the Parliament? Or is it to have as many Indigenous voices, elected, within our Parliament?

What impact would the voice have on issues like child protection and justice, where the legislation and responsibility largely rest with state and territory governments?

These are important questions that require careful consideration. But the answers are not beyond us.

And I acknowledge that Indigenous Australians want deeper engagement with government and their fellow Australians, and to be much better consulted, and represented in the political, social and economic life of this nation.

We can’t be weighed down by the past, but we can learn from it.

Australians are constitutionally conservative. The bar is surmountable, you can get over it but it is a high bar. That’s why the Constitution has often been described as a frozen document.

Now many people talk about referendums, very few have experienced leading a campaign. The 1999 campaign for a Republic – believe me, now, one of the few subjects on which I have special knowledge – the 1999 campaign for a Republic has given me a very keen insight into what it will take to win, how hard it is to win, how much harder is the road for the advocate for change than that of those who resist change. I offer this experience today in the hope that together, we can achieve a different outcome to 1999. A successful referendum.

Compulsory voting has many benefits, but one negative aspect is that those who for one reason or another are not interested in an issue or familiar with it, are much more likely to vote no – it reinforces an already conservative constitutional context.

Another critical difference today is the rise of social media, which has changed the nature of media dramatically, in a decade or two we have a media environment which is no longer curated by editors and producers – but freewheeling, viral and unconstrained.

The question posed in a referendum must have minimal opposition and be clearly understood.

A vital ingredient of success is popular ownership. After all, the Constitution does not belong to the Government, or the Parliament, or the Judges. It belongs to the people.

It is Parliament’s duty to propose changes to the Constitution but the Constitution cannot be changed by Parliament. Only the Australian people can do that.

No political deal, no cross party compromise, no leaders’ handshake can deliver constitutional change.

Bipartisanship is a necessary but far from a sufficient condition of successful constitutional reform.

To date, again as Marcia described much of the discussion has been about removing the racially discriminatory provisions in the Constitution and recognising our First Australians in our nation’s founding document.

However, the Referendum Council has told us that a voice to Parliament is the only option they advise us to put to the Australian people. We have heard this, and we will work with you to find a way forward.

Though not a new concept, the voice is relatively new to the national conversation about constitutional change.

To win, we must all work together to build a high level of interest and familiarity with the concept of a voice, and how this would be different, or the same, as iterations of the past like the National Aboriginal Conference or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.

We also need to look to the experience of other countries, as we seek to develop the best model for Australia.

The historic 1967 Referendum was the most successful in our history because of its simplicity and clarity. The injustices were clearly laid out – Indigenous people were not enjoying the rights and freedoms of other citizens. The question was clearly understood – that the Commonwealth needed to have powers to make laws for Indigenous Australians. And the answer seemed obvious – vote yes to ensure the Commonwealth gave Indigenous people equal rights.

To succeed this time around, we need to develop enough detail so that the problem, the solution and therefore the question at the ballot box are simple, easily understood and overwhelmingly embraced.

One of the toughest lessons I learnt from the Referendum campaign of ‘99 was that an ‘all or nothing’ approach sometimes results in nothing. During the campaign, those who disagreed with the model that was proposed urged a “no” vote, arguing that we could all vote for a different Republic model in a few years. I warned that a “no” vote meant no republic for a very long time.

Now, regrettably, my prediction 18 years ago was correct. We must avoid a rejection at a referendum if we want to avoid setting Makarrata reconciliation back.

We recognise that the Uluru statement is powerful because it comes from an Indigenous-designed and led process. And because it comes from the heart, we must accept that it is grounded in wisdom and truth.

It is both a lament and a yearning. It is poetry.

The challenge now is to turn this poetry that speaks so eloquently of your aspiration into prose that will enable its realisation and be embraced by all Australians.

This is hard and complex work. And we need to take care of each other as we continue on this journey. We need to take care of each other in the canoe, lest we tip out of it.

Yesterday afternoon was a powerful show of humanity. As we stood together holding hands – Indigenous and non-Indigenous people – we stood together as Australians. As equals.

And we will have the best chance of success by working together. This cannot be a take it or leave it proposal. We have to come to the table and negotiate in good faith, and I am committed to working with you to find a way forward.

Galarrwuy – you gave us your fire words yesterday, thank you again. We will draw on them as we look to light the path forward for our nation.

And when considering how to do that, we are inspired by the success of the Uluru process. The statement that emerged from Uluru was designed and led by Indigenous Australians and the next steps should be too.

To go to a referendum there must be an understanding between all parties that the proposal will meet the expectations of the very people it claims it will represent.

Now we have five Aboriginal members of our Parliament. They will be vital in shaping and shepherding any legislation through the Parliament. They too are bridge builders, walking in both worlds, and their contribution to the Parliament enriches us all.

The Australian Parliament and the nation’s people – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – must be engaged as we work together to find the maximum possible overlap between what Indigenous people are seeking, what the Australian community overall will embrace and what the Parliament will authorise.

I have been learning that the word Makarrata means the ‘coming together after a struggle’— Galarrwuy told us a beautiful story this morning about a Makarrata here in this country. And a Makarrata is seen as necessary, naturally, if we are to continue our path to reconciliation.

But just like the night sky, reconciliation means different things to different people. This complexity convinces me that our nation cannot be reconciled in one step, in one great leap. We will only be reconciled when we take a number of actions, both practical and symbolic.

Beyond Constitutional Recognition, that work continues every day. I reflect on the Makarrata discussion of the late 70’s and 80’s. A list of demands was sent to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in 1981. It called for rights to land and resources, compensation, the creation of Aboriginal schools, medical centres and an Aboriginal bank.

Despite a final agreement not being reached at the time, we have achieved some of the policies called for. The Commonwealth provided $433 million to 137 Aboriginal Medical Services across the country last financial year. Indigenous Business Australia provides low interest loans to help Indigenous Australians secure economic opportunities including home ownership with 544 new housing loans made last year. The Aboriginal Benefits Account supports Northern Territory Land Councils and provides grants for the benefit of Aboriginal people living in the Territory.

We now spend $4.9 billion on the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

And we are empowering communities through our Indigenous Procurement policy.

I am pleased to announce today the Commonwealth has officially surpassed half a billion dollars in spending with Indigenous businesses all over Australia. I am looking forward to sharing the full two-year results in October. This is a spectacular increase from just $6.2 million being won by Indigenous businesses only a few years ago under former policies.

Since 2008 the Commonwealth has been helping improve remote housing and bring down rates of overcrowding, with $5.4 billion to build thousands of better homes over ten years.

And the land is returning to its traditional owners.

More than 2.5 million square kilometres of land, or about 34 per cent of Australia’s land mass is today recognised under Native Title. Another 24 per cent is covered by registered claims and by 2025, our ambition is to finalise all current Native Title claims.

So we are standing here on Aboriginal land – land that has been rightfully acknowledged as yours and returned to you. And we are standing here near the birthplace of the land rights movement. A movement of which the Yolngu people were at the forefront.

As a nation we’ve come a long way.

In the Northern Territory, more than 50 per cent of the land is now Aboriginal land, recognised as Aboriginal land.

Just like the land at Kenbi which, on behalf of our nation, I returned to the traditional owners, the Larrakia people last year.

Earlier this year I appointed June Oscar AO, who has been acknowledged earlier, as the first female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, who has agreed to report on the issues affecting Indigenous women and girls’ success and safety.

And all of that work contributes to a better future for our First Australians.

But there is much more to be done in not just what we do, but how we do it – as we work with our First Australians. We are doing things with our First Australians, not to them.

Now Galarrwuy – I have read and read again your essay Rom Watungu. It too is a story from the heart, of your father, of his life and when his time came, how he handed his authority to you, the embodiment of continuity, the bearer of a name that means “the rock that stands against time”

But rocks that stand against time, ancient cultures and lore, these are the strong foundations on which new achievements are built, from which new horizons can be seen – the tallest towers are built on the oldest rocks.

You, Galarrwuy, ask Australians to let Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders breathe and be free, be who you are and ask that we see your songs and languages, the land and the ceremonies as a gift.

As Prime Minister I will continue to do all I can to ensure that being an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian means to be successful, to achieve, to have big dreams and high hopes, and to draw strength from your identity as an Indigenous person in this great country.

That’s why, as we renegotiate the Closing the Gap targets with the various state and territory jurisdictions later this year, my Government has insisted on a strengths based approach. Indigenous people are not a problem to be solved. You are our fellow Australians. Your cultures are a gift to our nation.

There’s so much more work to be done.

But in doing so, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and all Australians, continue to connect with pride and optimism – with mabu liyan, in Pat’s language from the Yawuru people – the wellbeing that comes with a reconciled harmony with you, our First Australians, our shared history truthfully told and a deeper understanding of the most ancient human cultures on earth, and the First Australians to whom we have so much to thank for sharing them with us.

Thank you so much.

Part 3 Opposition Leader’s Garma Speech

Good morning everybody.

I’d like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land upon which we meet, I pay my respects to elders both past and present.

I recognise that I stand on what is, was and always will be Aboriginal land.

I acknowledge the Prime Minister and his wife Lucy.

I wish to thank Gallarwuy and the Gumatj for hosting us – and on behalf of my Labor team who are here, Senator Pat Dodson, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, the Hon Linda Burney, the Hon Kyam Maher, supported also by local Members of Parliament the Hon Warren Snowden and Luke Gosling, and Territory Minister Eva Lawler.

We are very grateful to be part of this gathering.

Also Clementine my daughter asked me to thank you for letting her join in the bunggul yesterday afternoon, she loved it.

At the opening yesterday, we were privileged, all of us, to be at a powerful ceremony, where we remembered Dr G Yunupingu, a man who was born blind – but helped Australians see.

From his island, his words and his music touched the world.

But I also understand that the words of our host were about setting us a test, reminding all of us privileged to be here that there is serious business to be done.

Here at Garma, on the lands of the Gumatj, we gather to talk about a Yolngu word. Makarrata.

It is not just now a Yolngu word – I put it to you it’s a national test.

Coming together, after a struggle.

And for the first Australians, it has been a very long struggle indeed.

– A struggle against dispossession and discrimination, exclusion and inequality.

– A struggle against violence and poverty, disease and diminished opportunity.

– A struggle for better health, for better housing, for safer communities, more jobs, for longer lives.

– A struggle against injustice and racism: from the sporting field to the courts of our land.

Above all, a struggle for a better future for their children: a struggle to be counted, to be heard, to be recognised.

In 2015, the Referendum Council was created with a very clear mission.

To consult on what form Constitutional Recognition should take – how it should work.

To listen to Aboriginal people and to be guided by their aspirations.

And to finally give them a say in a document from which too long they been excluded.

Since then, thousands of the first Australians have explained to the rest us what

Recognition means – for all of us, for our children and indeed for all of our futures.

We asked for your views, we sought your counsel – and, in large numbers, it was answered.

At Uluru, you gave us the statement from the heart.

A call for:

– A voice enshrined in the Constitution

– A declaration to be passed by all parliaments, acknowledging the unique place of the first nations in Australian history, their culture, their connection.

– And a Makarrata Commission to oversee a process of agreement-making and truth-telling.

All three of these objectives speak to the long-held and legitimate aspirations of our

First Australians:

– A proper acknowledgment of Aboriginal histories and the dispossession that

followed upon the arrival of the Europeans

– A bigger say in the issues which affect you – no more ‘solutions’ imposed without consultation or consent

– And a more lasting settlement, a new way forward, a new pathway including through treaties.

These ideas are not new – but the Uluru statement did articulate these with new clarity, a new passion, a new sense of truth and purpose.

And let me speak truthfully on behalf of Labor, the Opposition.

I cannot be any more clear than this: Labor supports a voice for Aboriginal people in our Constitution, we support a declaration by all parliaments, we support a truth-telling commission.

We are not confronted by the notion of treaties with our first Australians.

For us the question is not whether we do these things, the question is not if we should do these things but when and how.

The Parliament needs to be engaged.

The Parliament needs to be engaged now.

The Parliament needs to start the process of engaging with the people of Australia now.

It does not come as a surprise to me, that following upon a report of the

Referendum Council, the Parliament’s next step must be to consider this report.

And in doing so, we must carry its message from the heart of Australia into our hearts as parliamentarians. With optimism, with understanding, not with a desire to find what is wrong, but to find the desire to make these concepts work in the interests of all.

If we were all gathered here now, back in 1891 and 1894 and 1897 to write the Constitution, we would never dream of excluding Aboriginal people from the Census.

But in 1901, they did.

If we were starting the Constitution from scratch, we would not diminish the independence of Aboriginal people – with racist powers.

But in 1901, they did.

And if we were starting on an empty piece of paper, we would, without question, recognise the First Australians’ right to a genuine, empowered voice in the decisions that govern their lives.

Now as you know, we cannot unmake history. We do not get the change to start all over again – but it doesn’t mean that we are forever chained to the prejudices of the past.

The Prime Minister’s observations though are correct about the difficulties of constitutional change. But I ask also that we cannot let the failure of 1999 govern our future on this question.

Voting for a constitutional voice is our chance to bring our Constitution home, to make it better, more equal and more Australian.

A document that doesn’t just pay respect to the weight of a foreign crown, but also recognises the power and value of the world’s oldest living culture, recognises that

Aboriginal people were here first.

And of course, let us reject those who say that symbolic change is irrelevant because dealing with these questions does not mean walking away from the real problems of inequality and disadvantage.

– Talking about enshrining a voice does not reduce our determination to eradicate family violence

– It doesn’t stop us creating good local jobs, training apprentices, treating trachoma or supporting rangers on country.

– It doesn’t distract us from the crisis in out-of-home care, youth suicide or the shocking, growing number of Aboriginal people incarcerated for not much better reason than the colour of their skin.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples don’t have to choose between historical justice and real justice, you don’t have to choose between equality in society and equality in the Constitution – you have an equal right to both.

The Uluru Statement has given us a map of the way forward – and today I finally want to talk about how we follow it, how we take the next step.

Not the obstacles ahead, not the problems, real as they are.

Aboriginal Australians don’t need a balanda lecture about the difficulty of changing the Constitution, our inspiration friends, should not be the 1999 referendum, it should be the 1967 referendum.

You have lived that struggle, every day.

Let me be very clear. In my study of our history, in my experience, nothing has ever been given to Aboriginal people – everything that is obtained has been fought for, has been argued for, has been won and built by Aboriginal people.

Think of the Freedom Riders

Think of the Bark Petition, which Gallarwuy was witness to

Think of the Gurindji at Wave Hill

Eddie Mabo and his fight for justice

Nothing was ever sorted by simply waiting until someone came along said let me do it for you. It is not the way the world is organised.

Every bit of progress has been driven by pride, by persistence by that stubborn refusal to not take no for an answer when it comes to the pursuit of equality.

Now making the case for change and encouraging Australians to vote yes for a recognition, reconciliation, and truth – this is not easy.

But before we can do that we surely must agree on the referendum question that has to be the long overdue next step.

I have written to our Prime Minister, we’ve proposed a joint parliamentary committee – which they’re taking on board, having a look at – to be made up of Government, the Opposition and crossbench MPs – to work with Aboriginal leaders right across Australia.

This committee will have two key responsibilities.

One – advising the Parliament on how to set-up a Makarrata Commission and create a framework for truth-telling and agreement making, including treaties.

Two – what would a voice look like. Whilst there are many questions, none of these are insurmountable.

And three, as a matter of overdue recognition – to endeavour to finalise a referendum question in a timely fashion. There’s no reason why that couldn’t be done by the end of this year.

The issues have been traversed for a decade.

Now friends this is not a committee for the sake of a committee, it’s not another mechanism for delay. It is the necessary process of engagement of the Parliament.

But we have had ten years plus of good intentions, but it is time now perhaps, for more action.

The Parliament does have a key role to play here, in setting the question.

The Parliament could agree on the question this year if we all work together so that the people could vote not long after that.

Voting to enshrine a voice in a standalone Referendum – free from the shadow of an election, or the politics of other questions.

It may seem very hard to imagine, it may seem very hard to contemplate.

But it is possible to imagine a great day, a unifying day, a famous victory, a Makaratta for all.

As I said yesterday, we’ve heard plenty of speeches, there are many fine words… but perhaps people have a right to be impatient after ten years – indeed after 117 years.

So the test I set isn’t what we say here, in this beautiful place.

It’s what we do when we leave.

It’s the honesty of admitting that after the event, what is it that we do.

The test I set for myself is can I come here at future Garmas and look you in the eye and say I have done everything I can, because if I cannot say to you that I have done everything I that I can, then I can’t be truthful with my heart.

Yesterday Gallarwuy spoke with a tongue of fire, he told a powerful truth.

He said that for more than two centuries we had been two peoples – living side-by-side, but not united.

I think that is the challenge for politics too.

Djapirri who just spoke up before me, she’s talked about hope. There is the hope that you refer to, you have the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. We are here side-by-side, and now we need to be united, not to kick the can down the road, but united on a process that says this parliament will respect what we have heard from Aboriginal people.

Not just at Uluru, but for decades.

In 1967, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were counted. In 2017, you are being heard.

There is no reason why we can’t enshrine a voice for Aboriginal people in our Constitution.

Djapirri said, she told me of a dream of a canoe, paddled by the Prime Minister and myself. That in itself is an arresting image. Two captains. But in all seriousness, we appreciated I think the power of that illusion, the power of that dream.

My party is ready.

I think Australia is ready.

The fine words that we heard at the opening yesterday, they remind me of the fire dreaming symbol, which is in the front of the Parliament of Australia.

Fire.

That fire dreaming symbol is from central Australia but it is connected isn’t it, by the word of Djapirri yesterday.

Again, that spirit of fire it is a gift from Indigenous people to all Australians and I sincerely will endeavor to make sure that spirit of fire infuses our Parliament.

This weeks #Jobalerts

Please note  : Before completing a job application please check with the ACCHO or stakeholder that job is still available

1.Aboriginal Health Worker – Drug & Alcohol – Durri AMS close 21 August

2. Aboriginal Health Worker : Wathaurong Aboriginal Health Service Closes 20 August

3.Aboriginal Program Project Officer Cancer Council Victoria Closes 14  August

4.ACADEMIC SPECIALIST – INDIGENOUS EYE HEALTH POLICY AND PRACTICE (RE-ADVERTISED)

5. Policy Adviser (Indigenous Health) Australian Medical Association

6- 7 Congress Senior Policy Officer and Media Communications Officer

8.Pharmacist – FIFO to Maningrida – Arnhem Land

9. ATSICHS Dental Services Brisbane : Oral Health Therapist

10.Tackling Indigenous Smoking Support Officer (OVAHS) close 16 August

11. Aboriginal Health Worker / Practitioner Carnarvon Medical Services Aboriginal Corporation (CMSAC)

12.General Practitioner | Remote Aboriginal Health Service NT

13.Senior Research Fellow, CREATE Adelaide

14.Employment at Miwatj Health NT

15.Nunkuwarrin Yunti’s Link-Up SA Program added 10 August

  Register or more INFO

How to submit a Indigenous Health #jobalert ? 

NACCHO Affiliate , Member , Government Department or stakeholders

If you have a job vacancy in Indigenous Health 

Email to Colin Cowell NACCHO Media

Tuesday by 4.30 pm for publication each Wednesday

1.Aboriginal Health Worker – Drug & Alcohol – Durri AMS close 21 August

2. Aboriginal Health Worker : Wathaurong Aboriginal Health Service Closes 20 August

3.Aboriginal Program Project Officer Cancer Council Victoria Closes 14  August

 

4.ACADEMIC SPECIALIST – INDIGENOUS EYE HEALTH POLICY AND PRACTICE (RE-ADVERTISED)

5. Policy Adviser (Indigenous Health) Australian Medical Association

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this exciting role.

The AMA

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is the most influential membership organisation representing registered medical practitioners and medical students of Australia.

The AMA exists to promote and protect the professional interests of doctors and the health care needs of patients and communities.

The Federal Secretariat of the AMA contributes to the achievement of this Mission through reinforcing the AMA’s peak status in the development and implementation of health policy and identifying and acting upon the main issues affecting members.

The Federal Secretariat also delivers relevant member services and works with members directly to grow and value membership of the AMA.

Public Health

The AMA’s Public Health team is responsible for the AMA’s work on population and community health issues, including prevention, substance abuse, child and youth health and Indigenous health. The Secretariat assists in developing the AMA’s policies and political advocacy on Public Health issues of national importance.

The Role 

The Policy Adviser (maternity leave cover, part-time) will provide high level policy and strategic advice to the AMA President on Indigenous health issues. The Policy Adviser will write policy responses and take a lead in the development of AMA policy on all Indigenous health issues.

The Policy Adviser will develop policy positions for consideration by the Task Force on Indigenous Health and resolutions informed by research and input from within the AMA and when required from other medical organisations and health stakeholders.

The Policy Adviser will take a lead in the development of strategies to advocate AMA policies and prepare written material to support AMA campaigns and advocacy on Indigenous health.

The Policy Adviser will manage the AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship and coordinate support for scholarship recipients, and will also coordinate the production of the AMA’s annual Report Card on Indigenous Health,

The Policy Adviser will provide secretariat support for the AMA Taskforce on Indigenous Health, represent the AMA at meetings and on external committees such as the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee.

Selection Criteria

• demonstrated experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the ability to communicate in a culturally sensitive manner
• knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues
• experience working as a Policy Adviser or similar type of role on Indigenous health issues;
• established networks in the Indigenous health sector;
• relevant qualifications or a combination of qualifications and experience relevant to the role;
• demonstrated ability to contribute to policy development;
• an ability to identify relevant issues and to collate and present information to substantiate policy advice;
• demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative to solve problems and produce high quality accurate work with a minimum of supervision and under tight deadlines;
• excellent communication skills both written and verbal;
• the ability to liaise effectively and build collaborative working relationships with stakeholders;
• demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a small team, including the ability to supervise staff;
• experience in using modern computer software and office systems to analyse data, produce documents dealing with complex issues, and maintain accurate records;
• an enthusiastic and flexible approach.

To apply for this role please submit a cover letter and an up to date resume via SEEK. For further information or for a confidential discussion in respect of this role please contact Alyce on 02 6270 5482. Remuneration for this role will be determined after assessment of relevant skills, experience and qualifications.

Closing Date for Applications – Tuesday 22 August 2017 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLY HERE

6- 7 Congress Senior Policy Officer and Media Communications Officer

Work for Congress! Congress is currently seeking a Senior Policy Officer, Media Communications Officer to work full-time at our new headquarters in Canberra.

Check out the job descriptions below and apply today

3.Media and Communications Officer

Apply HERE

4.Senior Policy Officer

Apply HERE

8.Pharmacist – FIFO to Maningrida – Arnhem Land

 ” Graphic video footage played recently to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other influential politicians cuts to the core. It is horrific, sickening and gut-wrenching, and would affect any compassionate human being.

But the intent behind the carefully edited emotive video – further pushing a ( Cashless Welfare ) card to supposedly tackle every imaginable social problem in vulnerable communities – is ill-conceived and ideologically driven.

Michelle Nelson-Cox Chair  : Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia press release Opinion piece (part 2 Below )

 ” We need to recognise that the best way of dealing with problems is with respect, working together, and focussed on commonly agreed goals. We do not need a new generation of community members under the control of those who want to use punitive measures to coerce and control them. When has this approach ever been shown to work?

We need to ask why we are not doing it differently, treating the very causes of the dislocation and alienation of our communities — facing up to and turning around the hopelessness and despair that beleaguers them.

The Rural Doctors have made it clear when they said: “Those that do have problems will not be helped by measures that feel punitive, such as switching them to a cashless debit card, rather than payments. Tough love is rarely successful in treating substance abuse – particularly when it’s from the Government.”

I support the Rural Doctors and our community organisations working with families dealing with these issues. This is where we have to take this debate.”

Shadow assistant minister for Indigenous affairs and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Senator for Western Australia, Patrick Dodson responds to article portraying the state as a ‘war zone’ .Full article HERE

” Senator Rachel Siewert has criticised a new video campaign showing graphic depictions of violence in Indigenous communities as shock tactics designed to scare the Federal Government into rolling out more cashless welfare cards in remote Western Australia.

“Using violent imagery then offering a one-dimensional, paternalistic and previously failed approach to a complex problem shows that Andrew Forrest is more concerned about furthering his ideologies than looking at what works.

“I share concerns about disadvantage and agree we need to be addressing severe disadvantage in communities like Port Hedland. We need a multifaceted approach including addressing alcohol supply, drug and alcohol services, and wrap around services driven by the community.

“I agree we do need to be investing in communities but in approaches that work ‘ Senator Rachel Siewert

Read Senator Rachel Siewert full press release part 4 below

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest and local leaders from the East Kimberley region, last week launched #timetoact an online anti-violence campaign in the nation’s capital. It features a video that shows disturbing scene of violence.”

Watch video HERE

” The concerted push by outgoing WA Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan that the cashless welfare system should be expanded to somehow protect children from sexual abuse, particularly in the north-west town of Roebourne, is fundamentally flawed.

There has been no conclusive evidence to date that cashless welfare cards play any role in reducing the impact of issues such as illicit drug use or child sexual abuse.

Instead, greater investment is needed in programs that address social determinants and build strong families and communities.

Ultimately, we need to see an increase in community programs and comprehensive support services to help address these complex social issues in Aboriginal communities.

AHCWA does not support simplistic apparent solutions imposed from outside Aboriginal communities. Rather, it advocates for greater investment in community designed and driven programs to build strong families and communities.

Our sector has been delivering positive outcomes in Aboriginal health for more than 40 years, but in that time we have often dealt with the unintended negative consequences of whatever “silver bullet” solution is politically fashionable at the time.

Extracts from Michelle Nelson-Cox Chair  : Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia press release (part 1and 2 below)

Elder Ted Carlton with a card

Part 1 : AHCWA rejects Karl O’Callaghan’s call to expand cashless welfare

The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia has challenged outgoing Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan to look in his own backyard and adequately police remote communities rather than advocate for greater disempowerment of indigenous Australians.

AHCWA chairperson Michelle Nelson-Cox today rejected calls by Mr O’Callaghan, whose contract ends on August 15 after 13 years at the helm of WA Police, for an urgent expansion of the cashless welfare system to combat child sex crimes in regional WA.

“The cashless welfare card is not a panacea to complex social problems,” Ms Nelson-Cox said.

“While AHCWA supports the government’s commitment to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal people and prevent child sexual abuse, we do not support the ill-conceived idea that cashless welfare cards can turn the tide on the abhorrent abuse of children.

“There has been no conclusive evidence to date that cashless welfare cards play any role in reducing the impact of issues such as illicit drug use or child sexual abuse.

“Instead, greater investment is needed in programs that address social determinants and build strong families and communities.

“Ultimately, we need to see an increase in community programs and comprehensive support services to help address these complex social issues in Aboriginal communities.”

Ms Nelson-Cox said Mr O’Callaghan’s admissions in The West Australian newspaper that his officers could not protect children in remote communities was gravely concerning.

“At what point does the buck stop with police and governments to keep communities safe? Over the past 13 years, how have the high instances of sexual abuse not have been addressed earlier?” she said.

“There is a large police presence in Roebourne, and admissions by Karl O’Callaghan that ‘police were not capable of protecting children in those communities’ and ‘neither the police nor government can guarantee protection of these children’ shows a lack of commitment to work with communities to effectively address these issues.

“The reality is there are a huge number of people very unhappy with the way they have been affected by the cashless welfare system imposed by the Federal Government.

“If anything, this is a failure of policing in the Roebourne area to address these crimes.

“The cashless welfare card does not need to be expanded. The solution does not lie in the disempowerment of Aboriginal people, but rather additional police resources and a greater commitment to stamp out these shocking and abhorrent crimes.”

AHCWA is the peak body for Aboriginal health in WA, with 22 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) currently engaged as members.

Part 2 : AHCWA rejects Karl O’Callaghan’s call to expand cashless welfare

Graphic video footage played recentlt to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other influential politicians cuts to the core. It is horrific, sickening and gut-wrenching, and would affect any compassionate human being.

But the intent behind the carefully edited emotive video – further pushing a card to supposedly tackle every imaginable social problem in vulnerable communities – is ill-conceived and ideologically driven.

The concerted push by outgoing WA Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan that the cashless welfare system should be expanded to somehow protect children from sexual abuse, particularly in the north-west town of Roebourne, is fundamentally flawed.

The belief that the cashless welfare card can prevent child sexual abuse is based on nothing more than a distorted perception that quarantining income will address all social problems in remote Aboriginal communities.

To date, there has been no conclusive evidence that cashless welfare cards play any role in reducing the impact of issues such as illicit drug use or sexual abuse.

In fact, the most comprehensive review of income management in the Northern Territory has proven that this strategy will not work and will likely only create further dependence.

WA communities like Roebourne do not need the next new idea imposed by white people who live elsewhere.

Instead, they need to work with Aboriginal people and support under resourced local initiatives already being worked on.

The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) is the peak body for Aboriginal health in WA, with 22 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) currently engaged as members.

AHCWA does not support simplistic apparent solutions imposed from outside Aboriginal communities. Rather, it advocates for greater investment in community designed and driven programs to build strong families and communities.

Our sector has been delivering positive outcomes in Aboriginal health for more than 40 years, but in that time we have often dealt with the unintended negative consequences of whatever “silver bullet” solution is politically fashionable at the time. These days, the cashless welfare card is seen as the quick fix.

The cashless welfare card has been delivered as part of a Cashless Debit Card Trial (CDCT), a program developed to reduce the harm associated with alcohol consumption, illicit drug use and gambling in Ceduna in South Australia and the East Kimberley in WA (Kununurra and Wyndham).

The trial began in early 2016, when participants were issued a debit card which could not be used to buy alcohol, gambling products or to withdraw cash.

The system quarantines 80 per cent of income support payments into a restricted account linked to the card, with the remainder of these payments accessible through a normal, unrestricted bank account.

Remarkably, and perhaps unsurprisingly, an evaluation of the current trial showed that the majority of people using the card, and their families, did not report gambling, using illicit drugs, or consuming alcohol in excess.

To put it simply, this trial has been socially disempowering for a huge number of community members. Strong resistance and opposition has been made clear at public meetings, strikes and petitions.

Admissions by Karl O’Callaghan in the video shown to the PM that “police can’t save them” shows a lack of commitment to work with communities to effectively address these issues.

If anything, his comments reflect a failure of policing in the Roebourne area to address these crimes and protect the town’s most vulnerable people.

We support any commitment to improve the safety and health of Aboriginal people, particularly children, in WA and turn the tide on the appalling abuse of our youngsters, but the answer is not an expansion of the cashless welfare card.

The solution does not lie in the disempowerment of Aboriginal people, which has been an ongoing tactic by governments. Instead it lies in additional police resources and a genuine commitment to work with communities to stamp out these shocking and abhorrent crimes.

We agree it is time to act – it is time for the police to act.

“Using violent imagery then offering a one-dimensional, paternalistic and previously failed approach to a complex problem shows that Andrew Forrest is more concerned about furthering his ideologies than looking at what works,” Senator Siewert said today.

“I share concerns about disadvantage and agree we need to be addressing severe disadvantage in communities like Port Hedland. We need a multifaceted approach including addressing alcohol supply, drug and alcohol services, and wrap around services driven by the community.”

Part 3  :  Graphic video campaign pushing for welfare card slammed as ‘one dimensional’  

Continued from opening                                

Mr Forrest was joined yesterday by Jean O’Reerie, Aboriginal Education Worker from Wyndham in East Kimberley- a Cashless Debit Card trial site, her colleague, local Bianca Crake, and the Mayor of Port Hedland, Mr Camillo Blanko.

Mr Forrest claims that the government’s current system to stop drug and alcohol fuelled violence against children in the Pilbara and East Kimberley region isn’t working.

Linking what he described as horrific child abuse to alcohol and drug use, Mr Forrest is pushing for the Cashless Welfare Card to be introduced into more West Australian communities.

“Elders of communities, mayors of major towns are standing up and saying enough is enough. We need the system to change. What we have had is not enough. It’s delivering our children into hell and they have to be protected,” he told a media conference yesterday.

Mr Forrest yesterday brough elders and civic leaders, from Western Australia and South Australia, to meet personally with the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the leader of the opposition Bill Shorten and his deputy leader Tanya Plibersek.

Figures from the West Australian Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan’s department claimed that one in three children are being abused, in a town of 500 children – 158 were sexually assaulted, 36 men face 300 charges of child abuse and in another town six children committed suicide in six months. It was not specified whether the children affected were Indigenous or Non- Indigenous.

Jean O’Reerie an Aboriginal Education Worker from Wyndham in the East Kimberley was emotional as she described the situation in her community.

“We need help, we need the government to intervene and help us out as community leaders. We can’t do it on our own. We need change for our community, our kids are hurting,” she said.

“We, the grassroots people, live with it every day. The hurt, the suffering, and the abuse.”

Part 4 : Trying to scare people into supporting the cashless card a worrying ramp up of Andrew Forrest’s campaign: Senator Rachel Siewert

Andrew Forrest is trying to use similar shock tactics to those of the previous Howard Government to scare people into supporting the cashless welfare card, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said last week

“We are seeing a worrying ramp up of Andrew Forrest’s cashless welfare card campaign that uses children, violence and fear just like the Howard Government did in 2007 over the NT Intervention.

“The Howard Government did this to justify the Northern Territory Intervention to impose income management and the Basics Card, at the time the Little Children are Sacred report was used to scare people into supporting income management.

“The final evaluation of the NT Intervention shows that it met none of its objectives. Ten years on we are still seeing the number of children going into out of home care increasing and appalling disadvantage persists.

“Using violent imagery then offering a one-dimensional, paternalistic and previously failed approach to a complex problem shows that Andrew Forrest is more concerned about furthering his ideologies than looking at what works.

“I share concerns about disadvantage and agree we need to be addressing severe disadvantage in communities like Port Hedland. We need a multifaceted approach including addressing alcohol supply, drug and alcohol services, and wrap around services driven by the community.

“I agree we do need to be investing in communities but in approaches that work. The Government invested over $1.2 billion in the NT Intervention which met none of its objectives. We should stop wasting money on income management style approaches and start looking at real solutions that work”.

” In 2016, there were 649,171 people identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin in the Census.

Of these people, 91% (590,056 people) were of Aboriginal origin only, 5% (32,345 people) were of Torres Strait Islander origin only and 4% (26,767 people) identified as being of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.

See Full ABS Data here

 ” The number of Aboriginal Australians living in NSW and Victoria has doubled since 2001, figures released by the Bureau of Statistics show, far outpacing the growth in the non-Indigenous population of both states.

In NSW, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has increased from 120,000 in 2001 to 216,000 in 2016 while in Victoria the numbers have almost doubled from 25,000 to 47,000. ”

See Part 2 below for Article in full Census 2016: Indigenous population in NSW and Victoria doubles

These proportions have changed very little in the last ten year period (see Data Cube 3, Table 3b).

In the Northern Territory, just under 25% of the population identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin in the 2016 Census. In all other jurisdictions, 5% or less of the population were of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin. Victoria had the lowest proportion at 0.8% of the state total.

When a response to the Indigenous status question in the Census was not provided, a response of ‘not stated’ is recorded. When these people are excluded from the total population, the proportion of those identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander increases slightly (between 0.1 and 0.3 percentage points) in all states and territories, with the exception of the Northern Territory which increases by 2.8 percentage points (see Data Cube 3, Table 3a).

Census Counts(a) by Indigenous status — State/Territory, 2016

	Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander		Non-Indigenous	Not stated	Total	Aboriginal and TSI
State/Territory	Count of Persons	Proportion of Persons (%)	Count of Persons	Count of Persons	Count of Persons	Proportion of Persons (%)
New South Wales	216 176	33.3	6 826 286	437 762	7 480 228	2.9
Victoria	47 788	7.4	5 532 275	346 563	5 926 624	0.8
Queensland	186 482	28.7	4 211 020	305 685	4 703 193	4.0
South Australia	34 184	5.3	1 557 001	85 464	1 676 653	2.0
Western Australia	75 978	11.7	2 237 541	160 891	2 474 410	3.1
Tasmania	23 572	3.6	455 137	31 255	509 965	4.6
Northern Territory	58 248	9.0	147 327	23 257	228 833	25.5
Australian Capital Territory	6 508	1.0	370 748	20 143	397 397	1.6
Total Australia(b)	649 171	100.0	21 341 231	1 411 491	23 401 892	2.8

(a) Usual residence, excludes overseas visitors.
(b) Includes Other Territories, comprising Jervis Bay Territory, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island and Norfolk Island, Migratory-Offshore-Shipping, and No Usual Address.
Note: Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For further information see Census of Population and Housing: Census Dictionary, 2016 (cat. no. 2901.0).

CAPITAL CITIES AND REST OF STATE

In the 2016 Census, just over one-third (35%) of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population lived in Capital City areas. States with relatively high proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Capital Cities include South Australia (54%) and Victoria (50%). In contrast, 78% of the population who identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin in the Northern Territory lived outside the Capital City area. Likewise, in Queensland, 71% of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population lived outside of the Capital City area.

Census Counts(a) by Indigenous Status — Capital City and Rest of State, 2016

	Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander	Non-Indigenous	Not stated	Total	Proportion of Persons
Capital City/Rest of State	Count of Persons	Count of Persons	Count of Persons	Count of Persons	Proportion of Persons (%)
New South Wales (NSW)
Greater Sydney	70 135	4 493 490	260 364	4 823 991	32.4
Rest of State	145 189	2 322 911	175 436	2 643 536	67.2
No Usual Address	839	9 528	1 916	12 288	0.4
Total NSW	216 176	6 826 286	437 762	7 480 228	100
Victoria (Vic)
Greater Melbourne	24 062	4 215 761	245 390	4 485 211	50.4
Rest of State	23 444	1 310 270	100 103	1 433 818	49.1
No Usual Address	279	6 219	1 069	7 565	0.6
Total Vic	47 788	5 532 275	346 563	5 926 624	100
Queensland (Qld)
Greater Brisbane	54 158	2 093 128	123 517	2 270 800	29.0
Rest of State	131 520	2 107 878	180 324	2 419 724	70.5
No Usual Address	799	9 886	1 827	12 510	0.4
Total Qld	186 482	4 211 020	305 685	4 703 193	100
South Australia (SA)
Greater Adelaide	18 403	1 216 624	60 689	1 295 714	53.8
Rest of State	15 530	338 096	24 445	378 074	45.4
No Usual Address	249	2 279	328	2 863	0.7
Total SA	34 184	1 557 001	85 464	1 676 653	100
Western Australia (WA)
Greater Perth	31 214	1 801 031	111 612	1 943 858	41.1
Rest of State	44 169	431 657	48 341	524 167	58.1
No Usual Address	587	4 497	867	5 950	0.8
Total WA	75 978	2 237 541	160 891	2 474 410	100
Tasmania (Tas)
Greater Hobart	8 534	201 462	12 351	222 356	36.2
Rest of State	14 983	252 850	18 791	286 627	63.6
No Usual Address	55	755	104	912	0.2
Total Tas	23 572	455 137	31 255	509 965	100
Northern Territory (NT)
Greater Darwin	11 960	110 004	14 862	136 828	20.5
Rest of Territory	45 590	35 862	7 998	89 443	78.3
No Usual Address	696	1 402	387	2 489	1.2
Total NT	58 248	147 327	23 257	228 833	100
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Australian Capital Territory	6 476	370 297	20 084	396 857	99.5
No Usual Address	33	454	62	538	0.5
Total ACT	6 508	370 748	20 143	397 397	100
Total Australia(b)	649 171	21 341 231	1 411 491	23 401 892

(a) Usual residence, excludes overseas visitors.
(b) Includes Other Territories, comprising Jervis Bay Territory, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island and Norfolk Island, and Migratory-Offshore-Shipping, and No Usual Address.
Note: Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For further information see Census of Population and Housing: Census Dictionary, 2016 (cat. no. 2901.0).

AGE PROFILE

In the 2016 Census, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population had a younger age distribution than the non-Indigenous population, reflecting higher fertility and lower life expectancy – a trend consistent with 2011 Census results. In 2016, the median age (the age at which half the population is older and half the population is younger) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was 23 years (up from 21 years in 2011), compared with 38 years for non-Indigenous people (up from 37 years in 2011). The Northern Territory had the highest median age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in both 2011 and 2016 (23 years and 25 years respectively). In 2016, New South Wales and Queensland had the lowest median age (22 years). For 2011 age profiles, see Census of Population and Housing – Counts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2011 (cat. no. 2075.0).

Nationally, just over one-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people counted in the 2016 Census were under 15 years of age (34%), while 5% were aged 65 years and over. The age profile of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait population varied only slightly between the states and territories. Queensland had the highest proportion of children aged under 15 years (35%). Tasmania had the highest proportion of older persons aged 65 years and over (6%).

Census Counts(a) — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by State/Territory and Age, 2016

	Total Persons	Persons aged 0-14 years	Persons aged 15-64 years	Persons aged 65 years and over	Median age
State/Territory	Count of Persons	Proportion of Persons (%)	Proportion of Persons (%)	Proportion of Persons (%)	Years
New South Wales	216 176	34.4	60.3	5.4	22
Victoria	47 788	33.3	61.5	5.3	23
Queensland	186 482	35.4	60.2	4.4	22
South Australia	34 184	33.4	62.0	4.6	23
Western Australia	75 978	33.4	62.4	4.2	23
Tasmania	23 572	33.0	60.8	6.2	24
Northern Territory	58 248	30.0	66.2	3.8	25
Australian Capital Territory	6 508	31.2	65.5	3.1	23
Total Australia(b)	649 171	34.0	61.3	4.8	23

(a) Usual residence, excludes overseas visitors.
(b) Includes Other Territories, comprising Jervis Bay Territory, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island and Norfolk Island, and Migratory-Offshore-Shipping, and No Usual Address.
Note: Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For further information see Census of Population and Housing: Census Dictionary, 2016 (cat. no. 2901.0).

Part2 : Census 2016: Indigenous population in NSW and Victoria doubles

The number of Aboriginal Australians living in NSW and Victoria has doubled since 2001, figures released by the Bureau of Statistics show, far outpacing the growth in the non-Indigenous population of both states.

Originally published HERE

In NSW, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has increased from 120,000 in 2001 to 216,000 in 2016 while in Victoria the numbers have almost doubled from 25,000 to 47,000.

The Indigenous population is growing – rapidly,” Australian National University associate professor Nicholas Biddle and research fellow Francis Markham told the ANU’s Centre for Economic Policy Research on Friday.

Over the same period the non-indigenous population has grown by between 15 and 20 per cent in NSW and Victoria.

“Apart from the higher fertility rate of Indigenous Australians there is pretty strong evidence for there being a larger number of people who previously weren’t being counted,” said Dr Biddle.

“Part of it is the census getting better at counting the population, and part of it is people being more comfortable identifying themselves to a census collector.”

Nationally, there are now 650,000 Indigenous Australians, according to the updated 2016 Census figures released by the bureau on Thursday, which also show the suburbs with the highest and lowest proportion of Aboriginal residents.

In NSW, the lower North-Shore has just 0.2 per cent of residents identifying as Aboriginal compared to the state average of 1.4 per cent. In Sydney’s east, at 6.6 per cent, La Perouse has the highest rate among Indigenous areas identified in the Sydney city region.

In Victoria, the Melbourne areas of Bayside and Glen Eira have the lowest proportion of Aboriginal residents at 0.2 per cent. The Mornington Peninsula has the Melbourne area’s highest at 1.3 per cent.

While more Aboriginal Australians are moving to urban areas, the majority are staying on city fringes. There are now more than 9000 Indigenous Australians in Blacktown in Sydney’s west and more than 2800 located across Northcote, Preston and Whittlesea in Melbourne.

Dr Biddle said these areas also have high rates of mixed parentage, where Indigenous males and females have a non-indigenous partner causing the rate of the population that identifies as Aboriginal to increase.

“That is kind of what you expect if you have a population that makes up 1 or 2 per cent. The chances of your partner having the same ethnicity as you is relatively low.”

The number of people identifying as Indigenous has significant implications for government policy. The Commonwealth Grants Commission allocates a small share of more than $50 billion in GST revenue to states for Indigenous funding on the basis of the census figures.

Nikita Rotumah and Ben Clark work at one of the few remaining Aboriginal youth outreach centre in the Melbourne city area.

“All the services are under resourced,” said their manager Troy Austin, who has run the Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation Co-Operative in Fitzroy for the past three years.

“A lot of the organisations have moved out of the inner city as the community goes out to where housing is more affordable.”

He said while more and more people are identifying as Indigenous that has not translated to greater resources.

“People are becoming more aware of the number of services that you have to have your Aboriginality confirmation for,” he said. “Maybe someone who wasn’t getting services before can now get them.”

“There was a period where it was safer for someone to not poke your head up and say you were Aboriginal, now there is a lot more pride and also a lot more awareness,” he said. “That’s a good thing.”

 ” NACCHO recently partnered with the Menzies School of Health Research and the Telethon Kids Institute (TKI) to develop and implement health promotion resources and interventions to prevent and reduce the impacts of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and young children.”

 ” Although high rates of alcohol consumption have been reported across all Australian populations, research shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are more likely to consume alcohol at harmful levels during pregnancy, thereby greatly increasing the risk of stillbirths, infant mortality and infants born with an intellectual disability.”

FASD is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in individuals whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy.

These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, developmental, and or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention and Health Promotion Resources (FPHPR) were developed for the 85 New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services (NDMBS) across Australia. (see part 2 below )

These resources primarily focused on prevention of FASD, but also provide information about sexual and reproductive health, smoking and substance abuse.

The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention and Health Promotion Resources Project ended at 30 June 2017.

FASD Awareness Day Resources

Share the International FASD Awareness Day images and messages NACCHO and FARE have provided on social media.  This can be as simple as retweeting from the Pregnant Pause account and using the tags #FASDAwarenessDay and #PregnantPause.

More info on FARE’s projects aimed at preventing alcohol exposed pregnancies can be found here: Pregnant Pause and Women Want to Know.

Download Australian Guide to the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Australian-guide-to-diagnosis-of-FASD-

Part 1 Consultation National FASD Strategy 2018 – 2028 closes 15 September

The Australian Government Department of Health is undertaking consultations to inform the development of the National FASD Strategy 2018 – 2028.

Submissions Here

The Strategy will provide a national approach for all levels of government, organisations and individuals on strategies that target the reduction of alcohol related harms relating to FASD, reducing the prevalence of FASD in Australia and provide advice and linkages on the support which is available for those affected by the disorder.

The objectives of the National FASD Strategy 2018 – 2028 are:

• strengthen efforts and address the whole-of-life impacts of FASD;
• address the whole-of-population issues;
• support collaborative cross sectoral approaches required to prevent FASD in Australia; and
• provide information and support those living with and affected by the disorder.

You are able to continue and save your written submission at any time during the process by clicking on the button ‘Save page and continue later’ below. You will be asked to provide an email address, where a link of your submission will be sent to the email address. You can continue with your submission by pressing on the link.

The online written submission portal will close at midnight on 15 September, 2017.

If you have further questions about the consultation process or have difficulty with the online platform, please contact Siggins Miller Consultants at 1800 055 070 or email us at fasdstrategy@sigginsmiller.com.au.

It should be noted that the 1800 number provided is a message bank service in which you can leave your inquiry, a senior Siggins Miller staff member will endeavor to return your call within 72 hours.

 ” The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Prevention and Health Promotion Resources Package – ‘the Package’

 Is designed to equip Australian health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to develop, implement and evaluate community-driven solutions to reduce alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and substance misuse during pregnancy, and to cut down on the number of unplanned pregnancies in their communities.

During 2015–17, the Package was delivered to staff from participating New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services (NDMBS), a national program to increase access to child and maternal health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.”

Download the 4 Page brochure

FASD_Resources_Package_Summary

And read the 20+ FASD NACCHO articles published

Why are these resources needed?

Although high rates of alcohol consumption have been reported across all Australian populations, research shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are more likely to consume alcohol at harmful levels during pregnancy, thereby greatly increasing the risk of stillbirths, infant mortality and infants born with an intellectual disability.

Addressing the effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and in particular FASD, requires both an understanding of how the cultural context, historical legacy and social determinants affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the importance of working in partnership with communities and relevant organisations.

When surveyed, most health professionals reported they did not ask their clients about alcohol use in pregnancy, or provide women with information about the effects of alcohol on the fetus.2 Challenges included limited knowledge and resources among health professionals to tackle the issue, along with a lack of confidence in advising clients. As such, we determined that resourcing and educating health professionals were critical factors to implementing a whole-of-community approach to preventing FASD in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Piloting the Package

We piloted two days of training with 80 health professionals from 40 participating NDMBS sites, with the aim of increasing:

1. awareness and understanding of alcohol, tobacco and other substances use during pregnancy and of FASD
2. awareness of existing FASD health promotion resources and of how best to use these resources within primary health care services in line with their community needs
3. knowledge and skills to develop, implement and evaluate community-driven solutions to reduce alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and substance misuse during pregnancy, and reduce unplanned pregnancies

What’s in the Package?

Health promotion resources targeted at five key groups:

1. Pregnant women
2. Women of child-bearing age
3. Grandmothers and aunties
4. Men
5. Health professionals

Five discrete training modules to assist health professionals share FASD prevention information and use the resources effectively within their community:

• Introduction: FASD Prevention and Health Promotion Resources Package

• Module 1: What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

• Module 2: Brief Intervention and Motivational Interviewing

• Module 3: Monitoring and Evaluation
• Module 4: Sharing Health Information

Training support materials to assist health professionals in delivering their own FASD training:

• Facilitator manual
• Participant workbook

Download the 4 Page brochure

FASD_Resources_Package_Summary

For more information

Dr Christine Hannah  07 3169 4201

christine.hannah@menzies.edu.au

“Sixty-three per cent of Australian adults and 27 per cent of our children are overweight or obese.

This is not surprising when you look at our environment – our kids are bombarded with advertising for junk food, high-sugar drinks are cheaper than water, and sugar and saturated fat are hiding in so-called ‘healthy’ foods. Making a healthy choice has never been more difficult.

The annual cost of overweight and obesity in Australia in 2011-12 was estimated to be $8.6 billion in direct and indirect costs such as GP services, hospital care, absenteeism and government subsidies.¹ “

 OPC Executive Manager Jane Martin 

Download the report HERE  tipping-the-scales

Read over 30 + NACCHO Obesity articles published last 5 years

Read over 30+ NACCHO Nutrition and Healthy foods published last 5 years

Thirty-four leading community, public health, medical and academic groups have today united for the first time to call for urgent Federal Government action to address Australia’s serious obesity problem.

In the ground-breaking new action plan, Tipping the Scales, the agencies identify eight clear, practical, evidence-based actions the Australian Federal Government must take to reduce the enormous strain excess weight and poor diets are having on the nation’s physical and economic health.

Led by the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) and Deakin University’s Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Tipping the Scales draws on national and international recommendations to highlight where action is required. Areas include:

1. Time-based restrictions on TV junk food advertising to kids
2. Set clear food reformulation targets
3. Make the Health Star Rating mandatory by July 2019
4. Develop a national active transport strategy
5. Fund weight-related public education campaigns
6. Introduce a 20% health levy on sugary drinks
7. Establish a national obesity taskforce
8. Develop and monitor national diet, physical activity and weight guidelines.

OPC Executive Manager Jane Martin said the eight definitive policy actions in Tipping the Scales addressed the elements of Australia’s environment which set individuals and families up for unhealthy lifestyles, rather than just focusing on treating the poor health outcomes associated with obesity.

Watch video HERE : How does junk food marketing influence kids

“Sixty-three per cent of Australian adults and 27 per cent of our children are overweight or obese. This is not surprising when you look at our environment – our kids are bombarded with advertising for junk food, high-sugar drinks are cheaper than water, and sugar and saturated fat are hiding in so-called ‘healthy’ foods. Making a healthy choice has never been more difficult,” Ms Martin said.

“The annual cost of overweight and obesity in Australia in 2011-12 was estimated to be $8.6 billion in direct and indirect costs such as GP services, hospital care, absenteeism and government subsidies.¹ But Australia still has no strategy to tackle our obesity problem. It just doesn’t make sense.

“Without action, the costs of obesity and poor diet to society will only continue to spiral upwards. The policies we have set out to tackle obesity therefore aim to not only reduce morbidity and mortality, but also improve wellbeing, bring vital benefits to the economy and set Australians up for a healthier future.”

Professor of Epidemiology and Equity in Public Health at Deakin University, Anna Peeters, said the 34 groups behind the report were refusing to let governments simply sit back and watch as growing numbers of Australians developed life-threatening weight and diet-related health problems.

“For too long we have been sitting and waiting for obesity to somehow fix itself. In the obesogenic environment in which we live, this is not going to happen. In fact, if current trends continue, there will be approximately 1.75 million deaths in people over the age of 20 years caused by diseases linked to overweight and obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer heart disease, between 2011-2050¹,” Professor Peeters said.

“Obesity poses such an immense threat to Australia’s physical and economic health that it needs its own, standalone prevention strategy if progress is to be made. There are policies which have been proven to work in other parts of the world and have the potential to work here, but they need to be implemented as part of a comprehensive approach by governments. And they need to be implemented now.

“More than thirty leading organisations have agreed on eight priorities needed to tackle obesity in Australia. We would like to work with the Federal Government to tackle this urgent issue and integrate these actions as part of a long-term coordinated approach.”

In addition to the costs to society, the burden of obesity is felt acutely by individuals and their families.

As a Professor of Women’s Health at Monash University and a physician, Professor Helena Teede sees mothers struggle daily with trying to achieve and sustain healthy lifestyles for themselves and their families, while having to deal with the adverse impact of unhealthy weight, especially during pregnancy.

“As a mother’s weight before pregnancy increases, so does the substantive health risk to both the mother and baby. Excess weight gain during pregnancy further adds to these risks and is a key driver of infertility, long-term obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, while for the child, their risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing chronic diseases in later life greatly increases,” Professor Teede said.

“The women I see are generally desperate for help to improve their lifestyle and that of their families. They want to set themselves and their families up for healthy, long lives.

“Currently, there is a lot of blame placed on individuals with unhealthy diets and lifestyles seen as being due to individual and family discipline. Women from all backgrounds and walks of life struggle with little or no support to achieve this. It is vital that we as a community progress beyond placing all responsibility on the individual and work towards creating a policy context and a society that supports healthy choices and tips the scales towards obesity prevention to give Australian families a healthy start to life.”

The calls to action outlined in Tipping the Scales are endorsed by the following organisations: Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (which includes the Heart Foundation, Cancer Council Australia, Kidney Health Australia, Diabetes Australia and the Stroke Foundation), Australian Health Policy Collaboration (AHPC), Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA), Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS), Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, CHOICE, Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Deakin University’s Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute For Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Monash Centre for Health, Research and Implementation (MCHRI), LiveLighter, Menzies School of Health Research, The University of Melbourne’s Melbourne School of Population & Global Health, Melbourne Children’s (which includes The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne), the National Rural Health Alliance Inc, Nutrition Australia, Obesity Australia, Obesity Policy Coalition, Obesity Surgery Society of Australia & New Zealand, Parents’ Voice, Public Health Association of Australia and Sugar By Half.

Download the Tipping the Scales action plan and snapshot at opc.org.au/tippingthescales

1. Obesity Australia. Obesity: Its impact on Australia and a case for action. No time to Weight 2. Sydney, 2015.

Please note  : Before completing a job application please check with the ACCHO or stakeholder that job is still available

1-10 Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service (Durri ACMS)

11. Walgett ACCHO HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER

12 -15  : Gidgee Healing Mt Isa

12.Position Title: Mental Health Professional

13. Position Title: Physiotherapist

14 : Position Title: Podiatrist

15. Position Title:  Psychologist

16. Miwatj Health NT Senior Social and Emotional Well Being Therapeutic Clinician

17 . Wuchopperen Health Service Cairns  : CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

18. Congress Alice Springs Chief Operating Officer at the Central Australia Academic Health Science Centre (CAAHSC)

19. Congress Alice Springs : WOMENS HEALTH NURSE

20 : Wurli-Wurlinjang Health NT 6 positions

40 . Office Practice Manager : Port Augusta, SA Pika Wiya Health Service

41. Senior Rural Medical Practitioner : Port Augusta, SA: Pika Wiya Health Service

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Tuesday by 4.30 pm for publication each Wednesday

1-10 Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service (Durri ACMS)

The Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service (Durri ACMS) was established in 1976. The name Durri means “to grow in good health” and was bestowed upon the organisation by members of the local Aboriginal community.

Located in Kempsey, approximately half way between the cities of Brisbane and Sydney. Durri is on the traditional land of the Dunghutti peo

Durri’s vision is to achieve and maintain better health and wellbeing outcomes for our Aboriginal people and communities.

Durri aims to be an employer of choice in Aboriginal health, supporting a skilled and flexible workforce.

Durri is a great place to work – a family friendly and culturally sensitive work environment that values people.

If you have a passion for indigenous health and are committed to closing the gap, then why not join us?

Website LINK

Application Package Nurse Supervisor – ANFPP.pdf Size : 258.845 Kb Type : pdf

Application package AHW – Health Promotions – Kempsey.pdf Size : 178.273 Kb Type : pdf

Application package AHW – Child & Family Health – Nambucca.pdf Size : 179.86 Kb Type : pdf

Application package AHW – Child & Family Health – Kempsey.pdf Size : 181.8 Kb Type : pdf

Application package AHW – Bowraville.pdf Size : 180.922 Kb Type : pdf

Application Package Nurse Home Visitor – ANFPP.pdf Size : 263.379 Kb Type : pdf

Application Package Aboriginal Family Partnership Worker – x2.pdf Size : 248.166 Kb Type : pdf

Application Package Administration Officer – ANFPP.pdf Size : 257.853 Kb Type : pdf

Application Package – Transport Officer (Casual) – Nambucca.pdf Size : 168.357 Kb Type : pdf

11. Walgett ACCHO HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER

• SENIOR LEADERSHIP / HR MANAGER OPPORTUNITY 

• WALGETT & BREWARRINA District & COMMUNITY, Nthn-NSW 

• ESTABLISHED, SUCCESSFUL & HIGHLY RESPECTED ACCHS TEAM

Download this Job info

OUR ORGANISATION

12 -15  : Gidgee Healing Mt Isa

Gidgee Healing is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service dedicated to making a long-term positive impact on the health and well being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Based in Mt Isa, we provide a broad range of high-quality Primary Health Care services across the Mt Isa, North West and Lower Gulf regions of Queensland.

Our multi-disciplinary team comprises GPs, Registered Nurses, Aboriginal Health Practitioners/Workers, Midwives, visiting Allied Health professionals and Medical Specialists and a range of other Workers that support our holistic approach to service delivery.

Gidgee Healing values community participation when planning and delivering our services, to ensure we are meeting the health and wellbeing needs of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

With a service footprint of approximately 640,000 km2, Gidgee Healing has the largest land area of all Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in Queensland.

Website

12.Position Title: Mental Health Professional

Employment Status:                    Full time

Salary Range:                              Pending qualification and years of experience (base salary $71,895 – $85,800), 5 weeks annual leave (17.5% leave loading), professional development allowance, superannuation, salary packaging available

Reports to:                                  Allied Health Team Leader – Senior

Positions supervised:                 Nil

Location:                                     Mount Isa – will require some travel to other remote communities across the North West and Lower Gulf of Carpentaria region

Download PD_ Mental Health Professional_Allied Health PD July 2017_v1

13. Position Title: Physiotherapist

Employment Status:                    Full time

Salary Range:                              Pending qualification and years of experience (base salary $71,895 – $85,800), 5 weeks annual leave (17.5% leave loading), professional development allowance, superannuation, salary packaging available

Reports to:                                  Allied Health Team Leader – Senior

Positions supervised:                 Assist with supervision AHA

Location:                                     Mount Isa – will require some travel to other remote communities across the North West and Lower Gulf of Carpentaria region

Download PD_ Physiotherapist_Allied Health PD July 2017_v2

14 : Position Title: Podiatrist

Employment Status:                    Full time

Salary Range:                              Pending qualification and years of experience (base salary $71,895 – $85,800), 5 weeks annual leave (17.5% leave loading), professional development allowance, superannuation, salary packaging available

Reports to:                                  Allied Health Team Leader – Senior

Positions supervised:                 Assist with supervision AHA

Location:                                     Mount Isa – will require some travel to other remote communities across the North West and Lower Gulf of Carpentaria region

Download

PD_ Podiatrist_Allied Health PD July 2017_v1

15. Position Title:  Psychologist

Employment Status:                    Full time

Salary Range:                              Pending qualification and years of experience (base salary $79,000 – $95,000), 5 weeks annual leave (17.5% leave loading), professional development allowance, superannuation, salary packaging available

Reports to:                                  Allied Health Team Leader – Senior

Positions supervised:                 Nil

Location:                                     Mount Isa – will require some travel to other remote communities across the North West and Lower Gulf of Carpentaria region

Download : PD_ Psychologist – Child Youth_Allied Health PD July 2017_v1

16. Miwatj Health NT Senior Social and Emotional Well Being Therapeutic Clinician 

Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation is the regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in East Arnhem Land, providing comprehensive primary health care services for over 6,000 Indigenous residents of North East Arnhem and public health services for close to 10,000 people across the region.

Miwatj Health aims to improve access to integrated, culturally responsive and safe mental health and drug and alcohol services that holistically meet the social and emotional well being and mental health needs of the population in the East Arnhem region.  We  are seeking enthusiastic, dedicated and an appropriately qualified senior therapeutic clinician to fill a role within our organisation.

Our Values

• Compassion care and respect for our clients and staff and pride in the results of our work.
• Cultural integrity and safety, while recognising cultural and individual differences.
• Driven by evidence-based practice.
• Accountability and transparency.
• Continual capacity building of our organisation and community.

In this role you will be responsible for working collaboratively with members of the Social and Emotional Well Being (SEWB) team, and the Manager, Mental Health to contribute to the development and delivery of the Miwatj SEWB model.

Key Responsibilities include;

• Demonstrated experience in working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations or environments and fully embrace the concept of Aboriginal Community Control
• Experience in delivering (culturally adapted) Focused Psychological Strategies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Deliver culturally adapted evidence based therapeutic interventions that value and build upon traditional indigenous knowledge
• Contribute to a coordinated approach for the prevention, assessment, early intervention, referral and shared care arrangements for common mental and behavioral disorders, including alcohol and drug use disorders
• Develop and articulate a Miwatj SEWB Model that includes the promotion of strong SEWB, screening, self-referral and early intervention for common mental health disorders (including alcohol and drug use disorders) as part of comprehensive primary health care. This includes the development of mental health care plans, clinical pathways, case management, and clear referral pathways and processes
• Develop clinical governance structures and processes to support the delivery of culturally-adapted evidence-based therapeutic interventions to address common mental health disorders, including alcohol and drug use disorders, as part of comprehensive primary health care
• Ensure Therapeutic Work complements and works in an integrated way with the existing medical and social/cultural support streams of care
• Effectively manage a team of two clinicians to deliver, articulate and promote the SEWB Miwatj Model

To apply for this role you must be either a registered Clinical Psychologist, Registered Psychologist, Mental Health experienced Social Worker, or Mental Health experienced Occupational Therapist and be eligible to work in Australia.

For further details please refer to the Job Description.

This is a full time position with benefits and an attractive salary commensurate with experience. The position is Darwin based and will involve regular travel throughout the Miwatj region (locally based and subsidised accommodation may be negotiated).

Applications close 11 October 2017.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are encouraged to apply.

17. Wuchopperen Health Service Cairns  : CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

• Focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

• Primary and Allied Health Care – Established Services

• Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation

• Cairns and Outreach Locations

Wuchopperen Health Service Limited is a community controlled organisation delivering holistic primary and allied health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Cairns and surrounding districts. Wuchopperen Health Service’s vision of improving quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples underlines our commitment to providing high quality, safe and coordinated care for our people.

Wuchopperen is seeking a motivated and appropriately experienced CEO to deliver inspirational leadership and continue to drive our strategic aims to fully develop our organisations potential, enhance our capability and continue to expand the key role we already play within our community, now and into the future.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the successful applicant will oversee an established organisational structure comprising of Clinic, Allied Health, Community and Mental Health Services, a Child and Family Centre along with Corporate Support.

The CEO will provide clear direction in the effective coordination of our various health services and programs, and funding related activity. In addition, the CEO will be responsible for facilitating corporate governance responsibilities and working closely with and alongside the Board, and providing oversight of Wuchopperen’s ongoing strict adherence to relevant Accreditation and Funding compliance standards.

This role presents an outstanding opportunity for a suitably inspired and credentialed Indigenous professional, to oversee the ongoing success and continual improvement of our organisation in accepting responsibility for the following key areas: Board Governance, Compliance and Coordination

• Leadership and Management of the Executive Team

• Strategic Management and Planning within a Competitive Health Market

• Budget, Finance, Risk Assessment and Funding

• Representation and Advocacy of Wuchopperen

• Local, Regional and National Stakeholder Engagement

• Business Development and Revenue Enhancement

Please submit your application, including a cover letter and resume, to Jenny Hall at jenny@mjsp.com.au.

 

18. Congress Alice Springs Chief Operating Officer at the Central Australia Academic Health Science Centre (CAAHSC)

• Base salary: $158,554 – $183,085 (p.a)
• Total effective package: $188, 192 – $220,310 (p.a)
• Full-Time Maximum Term 3 year contract

The Central Australia Academic Health Science Centre (CAAHSC) is a partnership of 12 organisations from across the Territory including the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress), to establish a health research centre. The CAAHSC is a construct around innovation in regional health that brings together Aboriginal health services, the Alice Springs hospital and leading research and education institutions under a virtual centre of excellence. The centre has a focus on Aboriginal health, remote health and primary health care in a regional context, with another key focus to translate research into outcomes on the ground. The CAAHSC is an exciting collaborative, and it will be at the forefront of some incredible research and Congress is the leading partner.

The Centre is one of only two consortia nationally to be recognised as a Centre for Innovation in Regional Health (CIRH) by Australia’s peak funding body for medical research, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The Centre is seeking a Chief Operating Officer who is interested in making a genuine contribution to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

The Chief Operating Officer provides direct strategic and governance support to the Executive Committee of the Central Australia Academic Health Science Centre (CAAHSC) and manages the day to day operations of the CAAHSC.

Alice Springs offers a unique lifestyle in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in the heart of Australia. It is within easy reach of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Watarrka (Kings Canyon) and a host of other world heritage sites.

As well as a wonderful lifestyle and rewarding work, Congress offers the following:

• Competitive salaries
• Six (6) weeks annual leave
• 9.5% superannuation
• Generous salary packaging
• A strong commitment to Professional Development
• Family friendly conditions
• Relocation assistance (where applicable)
• District allowance

For more information on the position please contact Chief Medical Officer – Public Health, Dr John Boffa (08) 8951 4401 or 0418 812 141 or email john.boffa@caac.org.au.

Application close: MONDAY 2 OCTOBER 2017.

*Total effective package includes: base salary, district allowance, superannuation, leave loading, and estimated tax saving from salary packaging options.

Contact Human Resources on (08) 8959 4774 or vacancy@caac.org.au for more information

To apply for this job go to: http://www.caac.org.au/hr& enter ref code: 3748736.

19. Congress Alice Springs : WOMENS HEALTH NURSE

Full-time, Fixed Term 2 Year Contract based in SANTA TERESA

• Base Salary: $98,982 – $106,314 (p.a)
• Total Effective Package: $121,757 – $129,934 (p.a)*
• Female Identified Position

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) has over 40 years’ experience providing comprehensive primary health care for Aboriginal people living in Central Australia. Congress is seeking a Women’s Health Nurse who is interested in making a genuine contribution to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

The Women’s Health Nurse works within a multi discipline team to provide culturally appropriate women’s health services and health promotions to Aboriginal women and children 0 – 8 weeks of age living in Santa Teresa.

This position participates in the after hour on call roster for medical emergencies. All after hour call outs are accompanied.

Central Australia offers a unique lifestyle in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in the heart of Australia. It is within easy reach of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Watarrka (Kings Canyon) and a host of other world heritage sites.

As well as a wonderful lifestyle and rewarding work, Congress offers the following:

• Competitive salaries
• Six (6) weeks annual leave
• 9.5% superannuation
• Generous salary packaging
• A strong commitment to Professional Development
• Family friendly conditions
• Relocation assistance (where applicable)
• District allowance and Remote Benefits

For more information on the position contact Clinic Manager Jason King on (08) 8956 0911 and Jason.King@caac.org.au

Applications close: SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER 2017

*Total effective package includes: base salary, district allowance, superannuation, leave loading, and estimated tax saving from salary packaging options.

Contact Human Resources on (08) 8959 4774 or mailto:vacancy@caac.org.aufor more information. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

For more information about jobs at Congress visit www.caac.org.au

To apply for this job go to: http://www.caac.org.au/hr & enter ref code: 3736373.

 

Identified Position is under Section 9A of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Job Applications close 20 September 2017

 

20-25  : Wurli-Wurlinjang Health NT 6 positions

If you are considering applying for a position with us, we encourage you in the first instance to review the position profile of the vacancy you are interested in. This will assist you in understanding the role you are interested in and will provide details in relation to the position responsibilities and other criteria applicants should consider addressing in their application.

All applications must contain the following as a minimum:

• completed employment application form
• current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• a cover letter which provides a clear and concise overview of your ability to meet the requirements of the role.
• a minimum of two referees (names, positions and telephone contact number) preferably one current and one past supervisor

Note: Applications who are successful must have the ability to satisfactorily complete a Criminal History Check and obtain a Working with Children Card.

Applications may be forwarded using our online Employment Application Form OR by emailing the Human Resources team at hr@nullwurli.org.au

View all details of these Wurli current vacancies HERE

20.Wurli-Wurlinjang Family Partnership Program (WWFPP) – Various Positions

21.Program Coordinator _ Strong Indigenous Families (FDV)

22.Strong Indigenous Families. Positions include: Counsellors/ Therapists, Case Managers & Community Engagement Support Officers (FDV)

23.Mental Health Professionals

24.Registered Aboriginal Health Practitioner

25.General Practitioner

 

 

26. National Health and Medical Research Council 2017 – 2018 Indigenous Internship program

 

 

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is pleased to invite eligible applicants to apply to the Indigenous Internship program.

The Indigenous Internship program provides a wide range of opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to gain insight into the work of the NHMRC, as well as to enhance their educational experience through practical work experience.

An internship with the NHMRC provides:

·         exposure to government processes and requirements in relation to funding health and medical research

·         experience in developing guidelines, identifying and promoting resolution of ethical issues

·         exposure to mechanisms and challenges of disseminating and increasing uptake of knowledge

·         better understanding of the rationale for, and demands of, public administration and accountability

A limited number of paid placements for internships are available in our Canberra and Melbourne offices.

 

Eligibility

To be eligible you must be:  enrolled in an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree in a health or medical research related field; able to work independently and as part of a team; and can provide evidence to confirm that you are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.

 

Applications for the 2017-18 Indigenous Internship Program close on Friday 29 September 2017.

To find out more please see our Indigenous Internship Information, which details eligibility and selection, as well as the terms and conditions of the program.

If you have any questions, please contact the Indigenous Employment Coordinator TJ Oberleuter on 02 6217 9530.

27 – 37 JOBS AT IUIH Brisbane

IUIH and its members are constantly looking for healthcare workers, GP’s, allied health professionals, medical and health related students to fill short or long term vacancies within their growing operations.Current job opportunities are listed below:

Website HERE

+ Team Leader – Home Support (Hervey Bay) Full Time On going + Manager, Family Wellbeing Services + Business Intelligence Analyst / Developer + Regional Optometrist + Registered Nurse – Full Time Ongoing + Exercise Physiologist, Full Time On going Based at Windsor + Exercise Physiologist – Hervey Bay / Cherbourg – Full time, Fixed Term + Indigenous Outreach Worker (CTG) Bundaberg Full Time Fixed Term

38 .Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW  CEO

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW is currently seeking a motivated and highly experienced CEO to lead AH&MRC to a new level of sustainable growth and success.

Working directly with the Board of directors, AH&MRC’s personnel and funding bodies, this role will suit a candidate who has experience working within the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), has a strong commitment to serving the interests of indigenous people and is a motivational leader with a focus on strategic planning.

The purpose of the AH&MRC is to lead the Aboriginal Health Agenda in NSW for improved policies, programs, service and practices.  Ensure that Aboriginal knowledge informs decision-making processes and support, strengthen Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to build sustainability within the Health Sector.

This is an Identified Position. 

Essential Criteria:

1. Demonstrated experience working in a CEO capacity including the functions of a Company Secretary or as an Executive/Senior Manager in Aboriginal health sector or public health of no less than 5 years.
2. This vacancy is an identified Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander recruitment under Part 22, section 22.9 of the AH&MRC Constitution. Applicants for this role must satisfy the Aboriginality criteria. Aboriginality is defined by decent through parentage, identification as being Aboriginal and being accepted in the community as such. In your response to this criteria, you will need to provide information on how you satisfy the Aboriginality criteria.
3. Demonstrated track record of successful leadership and experience working with board of directors identifying areas of risk and opportunities for growth.
4. Demonstrated experience of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector as well as health issues, including social determinants affecting Aboriginal peoples’ health status in contemporary Australian society.
5. A decisive leader, capable of making efficient and effective decisions to positively affect organisational success and highly committed to promoting the welfare of the workplace from a financial, cultural and competitive market policy environment.
6. Demonstrated experience in networking/liaising with the Aboriginal community, ACCHSs, government departments and non-Government organisations.
7. Excellent written communication skills that demonstrate your ability to prepare and present reports, briefs and general routine correspondence.
8. A policy response exercise.

How to Apply:

To receive a copy of the Recruitment Information Package for more information and the selection criteria, please contact HR via email or telephone.

Please send your completed application as per instructions in the Recruitment Information Kit to the HR Department either via post or email.

The selection criteria must be addressed for your application to be considered. 

For a confidential conversation please contact Human Resources (Gordana Agic) on (02) 9212 4777 or mailto:gagic@ahmrc.org.au

39. GP Vacancies: Full time and Part time Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation Grafton and Casino

Are you a General Practitioner who has thought about being part of the effort to close the gap in Indigenous health outcomes??

Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation (BNMAC) is a Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Service situated in Grafton and Casino, providing a full range of general practice services and Primary Health Care to the Community members of the Clarence and Richmond Valley’s.

BNMAC is recruiting General Practitioners to be based in Casino, NSW. Full time (35 hours per week) and part time options available with no on-call requirements.

The salary package may be negotiated as either wages or a combination of wages and percentage of receipted income. Staff members of BNMAC are eligible to access salary sacrifice.

The General Practitioner is required to provide culturally appropriate comprehensive primary health care services to clients of BNMAC.

Minimum Credentialing criteria for GP’s:

1. Bachelor of Medicine or an Australian/Overseas equivalent recognised by the Australian Medical Council
2. Current unrestricted registration as a General Practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
3. Hold relevant professional indemnity insurance
4. Evidence of Fellowship of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) or vocational registration.
5. Evidence of completion of previous triennium requirements and active participation in continuous education recognised by the RACGP Quality Assurance and Continuous Professional Development (QA & CDP) or ACRRM Professional Development Program (PDP).
6. Details of all past and continuing health care related employment and particularly that in General Practice.

Appointment is subject to a current Drivers Licence and a NSW Working with Children’s Check clearance. Further information on the Working with Children Check is available at http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/Working-with-children/working-with-children-check

Clinical:

1. Provide holistic approaches to health that include case conferencing and care planning for patients with chronic diseases.
2. Be responsible to the Chief Executive Officer for provision of General Practitioner services to Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation clients.
3. Attend outreach visits when required under the instruction of the Executive Officer and in conjunction with a local Aboriginal Health Worker.
4. Work collaboratively and co-operatively with a range of other health providers within the organisation and the Aboriginal community.
5. In collaboration with other staff members, develop and undertake programs and tasks appropriate to family medicine, preventive medicine and primary care in the community and health education, incorporating the following:

• Health assessments of children and adults
• Chronic disease care plans
• Women and men’s issues
• Otitis Media and seasonal infections in both children and adults
• Ante natal and post natal care
• Diabetes management and other vascular health issues, perform ECGs
• Treatment of minor lacerations
• Geriatric and mental health
• Arranging specialist services for clients as required and ensuring that these services are recorded.
• Examining, diagnosing and developing treatment plans for patients
• Treating the medical needs of both emergency and general patients to an optimum level without discrimination or bias
• Understanding the practice principles of Infection Control
• Ensuring, promoting and motivating patients in the general area of health, and contributing to community health.
• Providing clinical leadership for staff in relation to meeting the health needs of the local Aboriginal community.
• Medical consultations with clients of BNMAC are to be undertaken with due consideration of cultural respect and sensitivity.
• Participation in Healthy for Life Program activities, Nutrition Program and other programs run by BNMAC staff.

Additional duties required:

• Provision of in-service education to staff members as required
• Participation in general staff and clinical staff meetings
• Participation in accreditation and quality assurance activities undertaken by BNMAC.

• Participate in Asbestos health screening activities

• Abide by BNMAC policies and procedures

• Work within the applicable NSW Work Health and Safety Guidelines
• Advise the Chief Executive Officer of any local health needs and special programs to address these.
• Establish liaison with local health agencies and personnel; attend meetings relevant to health needs of the Aboriginal Community as directed.
• Utilise the client management software system and other associated systems to identify care needs, initiate recalls and care plans and ensure that client records are maintained accurately and meet all legal obligations.

• Experience or interest in Indigenous Primary Health would be beneficial.
• Provide clear advice to administration about Medicare items for claiming.

For further information please contact:

Mr Scott Monaghan 02 6644 3500

Please send applications attention Scott Monaghan at info@bnmac.com.au

40 . Office Practice Manager : Port Augusta, SA Pika Wiya Health Service

Link to apply: http://applynow.net.au/jobs/92120

About the Organisation

Established in the early 1970’s, Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation provides culturally appropriate, comprehensive primary health care services, social support and training to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The organisation operates from its premises in Port Augusta and also has clinics at Davenport, Copley and Nepabunna communities. Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation also provides services to the communities of Quorn, Hawker, Marree, Lyndhurst and Beltana.

About the Opportunity

Pika Wiya Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (Pika Wiya) now has a full-time opportunity for an experienced Office Practice Manager to join their team in Port Augusta, SA.

In this role, you will be primarily responsible for the provision of specialised clerical, patient transport, and administrative services within the clinical/administrative team.

You will also work closely with the clinic supervisor, medical practitioners, and other organisations to ensure accurate medical claiming and billing and to organise placements.

To be successful in this role, you must have demonstrated experience in a similar position, training in Communicare, and a tertiary qualification in Business Administration or equivalent.

You will be an effective leader with the ability to nurture a team environment and conduct day-to-day business within the practice using tact, diplomacy, and empathy for others. As such, you will display exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to work under pressure.

It is crucial to this role that you have previously worked in an Aboriginal organisation or community or have an understanding of appropriate cultural practices.

About the Benefits

In return for your hard work and dedication, you will be rewarded with a competitive salary circa $68,129 – $71,278 (commensurate with skills and experience) plus super and generous salary sacrificing benefits.

You will also receive access to a mobile phone and study leave options!

 41. Senior Rural Medical Practitioner : Port Augusta, SA: Pika Wiya Health Service

Link to apply: http://applynow.net.au/jobs/89148

About the Organisation

Established in the early 1970’s, Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation provides culturally appropriate, comprehensive primary health care services, social support and training to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The organisation operates from its premises in Port Augusta and also has clinics at Davenport, Copley and Nepabunna communities. Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation also provides services to the communities of Quorn, Hawker, Marree, Lyndhurst and Beltana.

About the Opportunity

Pika Wiya Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (Pika Wiya) now has a full-time opportunity for a Senior Rural Medical Practitioner to join their team in Port Augusta, SA.

Reporting to the Medical Director, you will be responsible for the provision of high-level primary health care, ensuring continuity care for individuals, and for prevention programs for the population.

This will be done primarily through the Port Augusta clinic (bulk-billing clinic) – servicing a combination of booked and walk in clients – and also by visiting a remote clinic once a month.

To be successful in this position, you will hold an AHPRA recognised medical degree including general or specialist registration and a Medicare Australia Provider Number.

You will also have demonstrated experience working in a medical practice and have the ability to provide high-quality clinical skills in a rural general practice. Additionally, you must have a good knowledge of the Australian health system and the Medicare billing system.

It is crucial to this role that you have a good understanding of Aboriginal community and health and be willing to involve yourself in the community.

About the Benefits

In return for your hard work and dedication, you will be rewarded with an attractive base salary of $225,000 plus super.

You will also be eligible generous salary packaging, up to$16,000 through Maxxia, to increase your take home pay!

Pika Wiya is also willing to negotiate relocation assistance and accommodation subsidies for the right candidate.

Make a real difference to the health and well-being of a vibrant community – Apply Now! 

 

 

Email jon@mjsp.com.au

Phone # 07 3839 1233

4- 5 October Aboriginal Male Health #OchreDay2017 Darwin NT

9- 10 October  : Indigenous Affairs and Public Administration Conference : Can’t we do better?

10 October  : CATSINAM Professional Development Conference Gold Coast

11-12 October 3^rd Annual Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal Health Conference

18 -20 October  : 35th Annual CRANAplus Conference Broome

20 October : ‘Most influential’ health leaders to appear in key forum at major rural medicine conference

18- 20 October First 1000 Days Summit

26-27 October  :Diabetes and cardiovascular research, stroke and maternal and child health issues.

31 October –2 Nov  :NACCHO AGM Members Meeting Canberra

15 November  One Day NATSIHWA Workshop SA Forum

14- 15 November  : 6th Annual NHMRC Symposium on Research Translation.

15 -18 November  :National Conference on Incontinence Scholarship Opportunity close 1 September

27-30 November  :Indigenous Allied Health Australia : IAHA Conference Perth

14 December Shepparton  One Day NATSIHWA Workshop VIC Forum

11-12 April 2018  :6th Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium  Canberra call for extracts

ONLY 28 DAYS To Go

2017 Ochre Day follow on Twitter #OchreDay2017

Where: Darwin
Starts tomorrow : 4th & 5th October 2017

This year NACCHO is pleased to announce the annual NACCHO Ochre Day will be held in Darwin

Beginning in 2013, Ochre Day is an important NACCHO Aboriginal male health initiative. Aboriginal males have arguably the worst health outcomes of any population group in Australia.

NACCHO has long recognised the importance of addressing Aboriginal male health as part of Close the Gap by 2030.

9- 10 October Indigenous Affairs and Public Administration Conference : Can’t we do better?

This year marks 50 years since the 1967 referendum resulted in the Commonwealth gaining national responsibilities for the administration of Indigenous affairs. This is a shared responsibility with state and territory administrations.

Website

ANZSOG and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet are providing travel support and waiving conference fees for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders and public servants attending the conference from remote locations.

To enquire about your eligibility, please contact conference2017@anzsog.edu.au

In partnership, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), the University of Sydney, and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) are holding an international conference that questions the impact of the past 50 years of public administration and raise issues for the next 50 years in this important nation building area.

DPMC is seeking to build and foster a public canon of knowledge to open the history of Indigenous policy and administrative practice to greater scrutiny and discussion.

The Indigenous Affairs and Public Administration Conference will be attended by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, other Indigenous peoples, public servants from state and federal governments, and the academic community.

 The conference will feature a range of guest presenters, including Australia’s Chris Sarra, Andrea Mason and Martin Nakata, New Zealand’s Arapata Hakiwai and Geraint Martin, as well as other international speakers.

The deliberations and discussions of the conference will feed into a final report that will be used to guide Federal government policy formation at a series of roundtables in late 2017 and early 2018.

REGISTER

2017 Indigenous Affairs and Public Administration Conference

October 9-10
The Refectory, University of Sydney

October 9, 6:00pm – 9:30pm: Pre-conference dinner
October 10, 8:30am – 5:00pm: Conference

Cost:

Early bird tickets (until September 1): $150
Regular tickets: $250
Full time PhD student concession tickets: $25

Register Here

10 October CATSINAM Professional Development Conference Gold Coast

Contact info for CATSINAM

11-12 October 3^rd Annual Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal Health Conference

3^rd Annual Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal Health Conference

The Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal Health conference is an opportunity for sharing information and connecting people that are committed to reforming the practice and research of Aboriginal health and celebrates Aboriginal knowledge systems and strength based approaches to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal communities.

The conference will include evidence based approaches, Aboriginal methods and models of practice, Aboriginal perspectives and contribution to health or community led solutions, underpinned by cultural theories to Aboriginal health and wellbeing.

In 2016 the Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal Health conference attracted over 130 delegates from across the community and state.

Please register online by midday Thursday 5th October, 2017.

” Federal Indigenous affairs bureaucrats have released a draft of their new evaluation framework, eight months after the Commonwealth committed $40 million over four years to evaluate policies in the portfolio and put a highly regarded university professor in the driving seat.

The draft sets out processes to look more objectively at national policies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and contribute to Closing the Gap, which have been led by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for the past few years.”This is intended to align with the role of the Productivity Commission in overseeing the development and implementation of a whole of government evaluation strategy of policies and programs that effect Indigenous Australians,”

PM&C sets high standards for Indigenous affairs evaluation see PART 1 Below

 ”  It’s been widely known for fifty years that the health of Aboriginal people lags far behind that of other Australians. Despite that and the expenditure of billions of taxpayers’ dollars, serious gaps persist between Indigenous versus non-Indigenous health and wellbeing.

There is compelling evidence that social factors are potent determinants of the health of populations. In the simplest of terms these are (a) social disadvantage, and (b) the relationship of Indigenous Australians to mainstream society. Associated with these are basic issues already mentioned; these include education, housing standards, employment and socio-economic status. These must be addressed if health disadvantages are to be overcome. Until this happens the poor health outcomes of Indigenous Australians will persist.

It’s easy to identify medical problems, perhaps because they can be classified and measured. It is tempting then to decide that these problems are ‘medical’ and, therefore, should respond to ‘medical’ interventions or approaches in isolation. This is dangerously misleading.

It’s time for clinicians to realise and publicly acknowledge that most of the important issues which determine the health status of Indigenous people have ‘non-medical’ roots and need vigorous ‘non-medical’ approaches in order to be corrected.

Part 1

Around the same time as the new evaluation funding was announced, Malcolm Turnbull sought out indigenous health expert Ian Anderson to take over as deputy secretary leading the PM&C indigenous affairs group, which is also the only group within the central department overseen by an associate secretary, Andrew Tongue.

FROM The Mandarin

Anderson’s first major task was a review of the Closing the Gap target framework, which focuses attention on particular indicators of disadvantage. A few months into the job he set out some of his thoughts in a public speech at a special event marking 50 years since the referendum that effectively created this area of federal policy.

The framework notes good evaluation is “planned from the start, and provides feedback along the way” (referencing the audit office’s 2014 better practice guide to public sector governance).

“Good evaluation is systematic, defensible, credible and unbiased. It is respectful of diverse voices and world-views.

“Evaluation is distinct from but related to monitoring and performance reviews. Evaluation may use data gathered in monitoring as one source of evidence, while information obtained through monitoring and performance reviews may help inform evaluation priorities.”

The credibility of future evaluations depends on demonstrating their independence. To this end, the framework says a new external advisory committee, membership so far unknown, will “support transparency and ensure the conduct and prioritisation of evaluations is independent and impartial” by overseeing how the new framework is applied, checking the annual evaluation plan and with “ongoing advice, quality assurance and review”.

A “commitment to transparency” is also included. The committee will publish “all high priority evaluations” and reviews of them. Others will be randomly reviewed and summarised in an annual report.

“At the three year mark an independent meta-review of IAG evaluations will be undertaken to assess the extent to which the Framework has achieved its aims for greater capability, integration and use of robust evaluation evidence against the standards described under each of the best practice principles.”

All the actual evaluation reports will be published as well, at least in summary form, including “where ethical confidentiality concerns or commercial in confidence requirements” apply. Indigenous communities that have participated in evaluations will get to see the results too and additional “knowledge translation” efforts are proposed:

“Evaluation findings will be of interest to communities and service providers implementing programs as well as government decision-makers. Evaluation activities under the Framework will be designed to support service providers in gaining feedback about innovative approaches to program implementation and practical strategies for achieving positive outcomes across a range of community settings.”

The draft framework says it aims to:

• generate high quality evidence that is used to inform decision making,
• strengthen Indigenous leadership in evaluation,
• build capability by fostering a collaborative culture of evaluative thinking and continuous learning across the IAG and more broadly across communities and organisations, and
• place collaboration and ethical ways of doing high quality evaluation at the forefront of evaluation practice in order to inform decision making.

Higher quality evaluation that is “ethical, inclusive and focused on improving outcomes” is more likely to have impact, the draft points out. “It aims to pursue consistent standards of evaluation of Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) programs but not impose a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model of evaluation.”

The guide calls for best-practice evaluation to be “integrated into the cycles of policy and community decision-making” in a way that is “collaborative, timely and culturally inclusive.”

“Our approach to evaluation, as outlined in this Framework, reflects a strong commitment to working with Indigenous Australians.

“Our collaborative efforts centre on recognising the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and cultures.

“Fostering leadership and bringing the diverse perspectives of Indigenous Australians into evaluation processes helps ensure the relevance, credibility and usefulness of evaluation findings. In evaluation, this means we value the involvement of Indigenous Australian evaluators in conducting all forms of evaluation, particularly using participatory methods that grow our mutual understanding.”

Indigenous Advancement Strategy evaluations will look at how well programs meet three criteria:

Do they build on strengths to make a positive contribution to the lives of current and future generations of Indigenous Australians?

Are they designed and delivered in collaboration with Indigenous Australians, ensuring diverse voices are heard and respected?

Do they demonstrate cultural respect towards Indigenous Australians?

Four elements of good evaluation

The draft framework lists four elements of good evaluations — they are robust, relevant, credible and appropriate, which is to say they are “fit for purpose” and done in a timely fashion — and explains in detail how each of these ideals is to be achieved in Indigenous affairs through higher standards.

“Evaluation needs to be integrated into the feedback cycles of policy, program design and evidence-informed decision-making,” explains a chapter on relevance. “Evaluation feedback cycles can provide insights to service providers and communities to enhance the evidence available to support positive change. This can occur at many points in the cycle.”

While not being too prescriptive, the framework aims to set a high standard for the evidence that is used to judge the impact of programs.

“A range of evaluation methodologies can be used to undertake impact evaluation. Evaluations under the Framework will range in scope, scale, and in the kinds of questions they ask. Measuring long-term impact is challenging but important. We need to identify markers of progress that are linked by evidence to the desired outcomes.

“The transferability of evaluation findings are critical to ensure relevant and useful knowledge is generated under the Framework. High quality impact evaluations use appropriate methods and draw upon a range of data sources both qualitative and quantitative.

“Evaluation design should utilise methodologies that produce rigorous evidence and make full use of participatory methods. Use of participatory approaches to evaluation is one example of demonstrating the core values of the Framework in practice.”

Perhaps the moves to take a more academic approach at the federal level will allow for more open discussion of what works, in a portfolio where this year the minister has seen fit to publicly attack researchers in the field, and blast the independent audit office for doing its job instead of helping him attack the opposition.

1.1 #NACCHOagm2017 and Members’ Conference Program launched

2.NSW : Award winning Katungul Aboriginal Corporation  in new partnership with Deadly Choices

3. WA : AHCWA Gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous longevity surges in WA

4.SA: National Disability Insurance Scheme Aboriginal community consultation

5.QLD : Apunipima’s ACCHO Napranum Centre Working to National Standards

6. VIC : VACCHO : Korin Korin Balit-Djak: Aboriginal health, wellbeing and safety strategic plan 2017–2027 

7. NT: AMSANT APO NT :  Failure guaranteed if you don’t involve us, say Aboriginal organisations

8.ACT : Winnunga ACCHO Newsletter September 2017

9. Tas: Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre : Hobart seeks OZ Day move

 View hundreds of ACCHO Deadly Good News Stories over past 5 years

How to submit a NACCHO Affiliate  or Members Good News Story ? 

 Email to Colin Cowell NACCHO Media    

Mobile 0401 331 251

Wednesday by 4.30 pm for publication each Thursday

1.1 #NACCHOagm2017 and Members’ Conference Program launched

 Download the 48 Page Conference Program

NACCHO 2017 Conference Program

You can follow on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook using HASH Tag #NACCHOagm2017

The NACCHO Members’ Conference and AGM will provided a forum for the Aboriginal community controlled health services workforce, bureaucrats, educators, suppliers and consumers to:

• Present on innovative local economic development solutions to issues that can be applied to address similar issues nationally and across disciplines
• Have input and influence from the ‘grassroots’ into national and state health policy and service delivery
• Demonstrate leadership in workforce and service delivery innovation
• Promote continuing education and professional development activities essential to the Aboriginal community controlled health services in urban, rural and remote Australia
• Promote Aboriginal health research by professionals who practice in these areas and the presentation of research findings
• Develop supportive networks
• Promote good health and well-being through the delivery of health services to and by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people throughout Australia.

Conference Website

2.NSW : Award winning Katungul Aboriginal Corporation  in new partnership with Deadly Choices

“It’s important to all our staff, because even though we work for the organisation, we are still community members and part of the wider family,

 All our staff have a strong investment in not only seeing Katungul succeed, but because of our long community and family history, we also have those ties with the community, so it’s not only about what’s happening now but also building a strong base for future generations.

Those historical family and cultural ties reflects our ‘Koori health in Koori hands’ philosophy.”

Katungul chief executive officer Rob Skeen said the awards had definitely been a huge boost for staff, particularly receiving the peer-to-peer recognition of both the people’s choice and NAIDOC awards

Since taking over as CEO last year, Mr Skeen has seen the number of employees grow from 30 to 56 and the health service was getting recognition for its accomplishments from a range of other services and government entities.

Katungul has won the Excellence in Business Award in the Far South Coast Regional Business Awards. This follows their recent win in the Eurobodalla Business Awards.

The Excellence in Business award recognises a business employing more than 20 people that has attained significant growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies and processes implemented to achieve sustainable growth over the previous 24 months.

Katungul Aboriginal Corporation provides culturally appropriate health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on the Far South Coast of NSW. Staff are committed to providing high quality treatment and services in a culturally appropriate way.

Facilities include general practice and medical and dental clinics. Allied health programs are in place for eye health, otitis media and maternity care. There are many outreach programs available to serve the wider community.

At Katungul, they strive to work in partnership with local health services to ensure all specific medical, dental, social and emotional wellbeing needs are satisfied to a high standard.

Katungul serves communities from Eden to Batemans Bay.

Katungul will now be a finalist  in the NSW State Business Awards to be decided in Sydney in late November.

This is a significant achievement and reflects the hard work put in by all staff and the Board over the last few years.

Katungul and Deadly Choices will launch their partnership with a community day on Saturday 4 November

3. WA : AHCWA Gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous longevity surges in WA

The disparity between the life expectancy of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal West Australians has surged, bucking a national trend that shows a closing of the gap, a new report has found.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, released this week, shows the life expectancy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous West Australians increased from 14.7 years to 15.1 years in men and 12.9 years to 13.5 years in women in a comparison of data between 2005-2007 and 2010-2012.

Nationally, the gap decreased from 11.4 years to 10.6 years for men and remained stable at 9.6 years to 9.5 years for women during the same period.

The figures come despite the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2017: Western Australia report showing small increases in the life expectancy of indigenous males in WA from 64.5 to 65 years and indigenous females from 70 to 70.2 years between 2005–2007 and 2010–2012.

Aboriginal Health Council of WA chairperson Michelle Nelson-Cox said despite the improvements to indigenous longevity and several other health outcomes, there was still a long way to go and health education remained a key focus.

“Positively, this report identifies several areas of improvement in Aboriginal health, including a 48% drop in deaths from circulatory diseases and five-fold increase in the rate of indigenous health checks being claimed,” Ms Nelson-Cox said.

The report showed a substantial increase in the rate of indigenous-specific health checks being claimed, rising from 42 per 1000 in 2006-07 to 254 per 1000 in 2014-15, she said.

“This is a significant move that shows health education campaigns and our commitment to making health checks more available to Aboriginal communities are having an impact,” she said.

“But we remain deeply concerned at several findings, including that the rate of indigenous women smoking during pregnancy is five times higher than non-indigenous women and the disparity in notifications for sexually transmitted infections for indigenous Australians.

“In addition, the death rates for chronic diseases are much higher for indigenous Australians than non-indigenous Australians.

“To that end, this report highlights the need for greater investment in evidence based, culturally safe, high quality responsive and accessibly primary health care for Aboriginal people in WA.

“AHCWA urgently calls on the government to provide further support to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) who continue to be the strongest, most effective means to addressing the gap in health outcomes.

“Without this investment, achieving our Closing the Gap targets will remain out of reach.”

Ms Nelson-Cox said while it was recognised that governments invested significant funding in Aboriginal health, Aboriginal community and community-controlled organisations were the most effective agencies.

There also needed to be greater transparency and accountability of other stakeholders in the sector, she said.

AHCWA is the peak body for Aboriginal health in WA, with 22 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) currently engaged as members.

4.SA: National Disability Insurance Scheme Aboriginal community consultation

Read over 25 NACCHO Disability NDIS articles HERE

 5.QLD : Apunipima’s ACCHO Napranum Centre Working to National Standards
 

“Jason strongly but humbly tells it like it is, there is no self-pity, just heartfelt statements of fact that apply to all Australians.

He pleads for everyone to re-think alcohol and drug use, including a special message for our Indigenous mob.

His words should be heeded by everyone but also reinforce my top Indigenous health priorities: Men’s health, kidney, eye and ear health, maternal and child health and reducing preventable hospital admissions.

His key message is for everybody, especially men, to look after themselves, so they can be there for their families and friends for as long as possible”

Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt AM paid tribute to his cousin’s bravery, talent, compassion and legacy.

Read over 330 NACCHO Aboriginal Male Health articles published by over the past 5 years

A heartbreaking video message has been released today, realising Jason Bartlett’s dying wish to raise awareness of the importance of men taking personal responsibility for their health.

View Jason’s Video Here

The 36 year old singer, songwriter and former television music show star recorded the video nine days before he passed away in Royal Perth Hospital in June, from complications of diabetes and obesity, leading to heart and kidney failure.

“In 2009, Jason made it through to the Top 24 on Australian Idol and continued his career after the show, writing, recording and performing with the popular Bartlett Brothers band,” Minister Wyatt said.

“We lost Jason shortly after he made the brave but agonising decision to cease dialysis. His final words are haunting and hard-hitting and ones he wanted every Australian to hear.

“His vision was always to change the world for the better through his music but his dream became to get the health message out.”

In the video, titled “Passing on Wisdom: Jason’s Diabetes Story”, the father of two tells how he was diagnosed with diabetes at 19 years of age. A combination of lack of health education and ignoring the danger signs gradually lead to a tragic sequence of chronic conditions that eventually took his sight and his mobility.

His key message is for everybody, especially men, to look after themselves, so they can be there for their families and friends for as long as possible.

“He wants all of us to take personal responsibility, listen to our loved ones and take advice from doctors and health professionals,” said the Minister.

“Jason says that looking after ourselves is an essential part of giving love to those around us.

“All of us are privileged to have shared in his amazing life and now we’re determined to share his quest to save the lives of others, through his message.

“If it can help just one person to make life-changing choices, Australia will be better for it, but I am sure his story will help many more consider changes that will lengthen and potentially save their lives.

“I’m joining with Jason’s family in encouraging everyone to watch his video, listen to his story and share it on social media, especially with those you love.”

Photo: Jason Bartlett’s wife Jaimee, brother Phil and family members launched the video with Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt. (Supplied: Family)

The video was produced by Jason Bartlett’s family, the University of Western Australia’s WA Centre for Rural Health, and media organisation Health Communication Resources.

It can also be shared from the WA Centre for Rural Health’s YouTube channel, at https://youtu.be/RcbQmILeDTs with a subtitled version at https://youtu.be/TvC1Tv6Z6zU

“ACT Corrective Services recognises that increasing Aboriginal led services within the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) a minimum to maximum security prison is essential to maintaining cultural connection for Aboriginal detainees and improving overall wellbeing and safety.”

Speaking at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) board meeting ACT Minister for Justice Shane Rattenbury announced that Winnunga Aboriginal Health and Community Services (AHCS) will move soon into full service delivery at the AMC

Photo above Minister with some of the new NACCHO Board December 2017 : Pic Oliver Tye

Julie Tongs pictured above with Shane Rattenbury and NACCHO CEO John Singer  

‘Importantly, Winnunga will continue to be a separate independent entity, but will work in partnership with the ACT Government to complement the services already provided by ACT Corrective Services and ACT Health to deliver better outcomes for Indigenous detainees.

It is ground breaking to have an Aboriginal community controlled and managed organisation delivering health and wellbeing services within its own model of care to inmates in prison in this capacity’ Ms Tongs said.

‘Winnunga delivering health and wellbeing services in the AMC and changing the way the system operates is the legacy of Steven Freeman, a young Aboriginal man who tragically died whilst in custody in the AMC in 2016

It is also ground breaking for our sector, so it needs to be given the recognition it deserves’

Julie Tongs, CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services (Winnunga AHCS) welcomed the announcement by Minister Shane Rattenbury

Winnunga has commenced enhanced support at the AMC focused on female detainees, and will move to full delivery of standalone health, social and emotional wellbeing services in the AMC in 2018.

The Independent Inquiry into the Treatment in Custody of Steven Freeman highlighted the need for improvements in a range of areas including cultural proficiency to more effectively manage the welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees.

The ACT Government is working to develop a safer environment for all detainees, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees.

Minister Rattenbury welcomed the involvement of Winnunga AHCS in the delivery of health services within its culturally appropriate model of care in the AMC.

To achieve this ACT Corrective Services and Justice Health have been working closely with Winnunga AHCS to enhance their presence in the AMC. Winnunga AHCS has begun delivering social and emotional wellbeing services to female detainees who choose to access Winnunga AHCS in the AMC.

Over time, all detainees will have the option to access Winnunga AHCS services.

Winnunga AHCS will over time deliver services to all inmates in the AMC who choose to access this option, however the services will be implemented through a staged process initially focussed on female detainees. This will help inform system changes as we operationalise the model of care within the AMC.

‘In 2018, we will expand our role to deliver GP and social and emotional wellbeing services to all detainees who choose to access Winnunga AHCS in the AMC, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 9am to 5pm’, Ms Tongs noted.

‘Winnunga does not want to be divisive in the AMC, we will be inclusive.

Obviously, there will be some issues particularly around – strong identity and connection to land, language and culture, and how the impact of colonisation and stolen Generations affects unresolved trauma, grief and loss that will be specific to Aboriginal people, however we will work with all inmates’, said Ms Tongs.

Ms Tongs stated, ‘The priority for us is to ensure in time all Aboriginal people are provided with an Aboriginal health check and care plan…the goal is for Winnunga to provide all services we do outside in the community, to prisoners also on the inside and this is a very good starting point’.