7. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
The DRS believes:
7.1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination, land rights and economic development and the empowerment which follows from these processes need to be recognised as essential prerequisites to improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
7.2 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations such as legal, childcare and health services, and community enterprises are essential in the process of addressing the position of disadvantage in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been placed in Australian society.
7.3 The lack of essential services (safe water, all-weather access, adequate waste disposal and electricity) for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are significant contributing factors to the poor health status experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These services need to be improved to the standard accepted in the wider community as a matter of urgency.
7.4 The National Aboriginal Health Strategy, the report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and other reports provide strategic direction in guiding changes and appropriate processes, to help improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status. The DRS believes that these must be implemented urgently and with adequate resourcing.
7.5 Both State and Federal Governments have responsibilities to adequately fund Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.
7.6 The immediate adoption of award rates and conditions for all staff in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations is one of the necessary steps in remedying the injustices suffered.
7.7 State Government controlled and run Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander units are contrary to the best interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and work against the principle of self determination.
7.8 There is an urgent need for a treaty of sovereignty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with associated land rights and ongoing financial compensation for the dispossession suffered.
7.9 Whenever possible, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be employed to provide services in all communities where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live. It is therefore essential that governments set in place, and support, programs that provide appropriate education and training, to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be employed in all positions within services which affect health.
7.10 Affirmative action is required in educational programs to ensure that there is adequate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation at all levels of healthcare delivery. Such programs need to incorporate (i) active recruitment, not merely the setting of quotas; (ii) appropriate preparatory programs to ensure prospective students have realistic prospects of success; and (iii) appropriate support during courses to help students overcome some of the educational and social disadvantages they may face. (see also Medical Education 5.1.4)
7.11 All health care workers need to have a sound understanding of the structural determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status, and should actively work to address the wider issues, as well as providing compassionate and appropriate health care services. All educational bodies training workers for the health sector should develop partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations to ensure their training addresses these issues adequately.(see also Medical Workforce 5.3.3)
7.12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need to be active participants in all projects (or research) involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. That participation should include control over consent and outcomes. The rights of communities or peoples not to consent must be respected. (see also 2. Health Rights)