THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
17 September 2009
CATSIN CONFERENCE GETS UNDERWAY
‘WE CAN DO IT – YES WE CAN’
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, today congratulated the Congress of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSIN) on its 11th national conference in
Melbourne.
The conference has as its theme ‘We can do it – yes we can’ and covers important topics such
as national registration and accreditation, corporate governance, and self regulation. It will
also cover methods of supporting Indigenous students in their health studies.
“CATSIN contributes to the encouragement and support of Indigenous nurses during their
study and while working in a range of acute and primary care settings throughout Australia,”
Mr Snowdon said.
“We must also ensure that all non-Indigenous health providers are able to work with and
provide services to Indigenous Australians in a culturally appropriate manner, and CATSIN
also contributes to this aim.”
Mr Snowdon said nurses are central to the delivery of Indigenous health care, and attracting
nurses to the Indigenous health workforce is an important underpinning to closing the gap in
health outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
“The Rudd Government clearly recognises CATSIN’s contribution and the central role of all
nurses in achieving this.
“The Government’s ambitious and far-reaching health reform agenda includes a strong
commitment to the Indigenous health workforce through the Rudd Government’s significant
investment in the COAG health reform agenda.
“CATSIN and its members can directly contribute to this large reform agenda through
expanding membership and active participation in key forums and actions aimed at closing
the gap,” Mr Snowdon said.
Mr Snowdon wishes CATSIN and its members a very successful and productive 11th
national conference.
Media contact: Kate Sieper 0488 484 689.
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