THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
10 September 2009
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HEALTH EQUALITY COUNCIL MEETS
WITH MINISTER SNOWDON
The importance of the National Indigenous Health Equality Council (NIHEC) was reiterated
today with the attendance of Warren Snowdon, Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and
Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, at their meeting in Canberra.
The Council, drawing on its broad expertise, provides the government with evidence-based
advice to close the gap in health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Mr Snowdon said there was no doubt NIHEC’s advice will be fundamentally important as
work begins on delivering the Rudd government's $805.5 million commitment to the $1.6
billion COAG National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health
Outcomes.
“NIHEC is considering ways to develop a sustainable health workforce, and will provide
advice on pathways to increase the involvement of Indigenous Australians in the health
sector,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Healthier children, less chronic disease, and longer lives for Indigenous Australians cannot
be achieved without a strong and responsive workforce.
“Both my new portfolio and NIHEC's approach is to build on and integrate the existing
strengths of Indigenous Australian communities.
“I will be working with NIHEC to explore the potential for better coordinated and integrated
national, regional, remote and rural programs and initiatives.”
Mr Snowdon also discussed with the full council some of the proposals of the National
Health and Hospitals Reform Commission report.
“The NHHRC report acknowledges the strengths of the community controlled health sector
in providing quality primary health care to Indigenous Australians, particularly in regional
and remote communities,” Mr Snowdon said.
“I welcome the response of NIHEC, and also that of the Closing the Gap committee with
whom I met earlier this week, to the report and am sure that together we can achieve equality
in health status and life expectancy for Indigenous Australians."
Media contact: Kate Sieper 02 6277 7427 and 0488 484 689.
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