Remembering
Cleveland Fagan
1969-2024
Fighting for our future generations
QAIHC urges more health investment for our communities
ACCHO sector speaks out: Our key election priorities
Political parties’ commitments to First Nations Health
Yulu-Burri-Ba celebrates 40 years
Goondir unveils gamechanging new wellness centre in St George
The NHRA: How reforms could transform the ACCHO sector
Welcome to the second edition of Sector Leader for 2024.
Many of us in the community-controlled health sector were privileged to work closely with Cleveland Fagan over the years. As his friend, I was shocked and deeply saddened by his recent passing, and I extend my sincere condolences to his family.
Cleveland’s passion for health equity and his commitment to improving health outcomes for First Nations people inspired him to pursue a career in service.
Reflecting our on time working together, I remember his leadership, unwavering advocacy and his impactful contributions to our sector with gratitude.
Let’s honour his legacy by reaffirming our commitment to advancing the health and wellbeing of our communities. This, I believe, is the tribute he would expect from us.
You can read more about Cleveland, his remarkable career and enduring legacy on page 24.
With the Queensland Election slated for October, the next four months provide
an opportunity to open a dialogue with those running for elected office.
Starting from page 28 is a 12-page Election Special which includes an exploration of the priorities this election cycle for QAIHC, our Members and individual ACCHO team members.
We also delve into the election priorities of the four biggest political parties in Queensland. Turn to page 36, to view the election priorities for the LNP, The Greens, One Nation and the ALP relating to First Nations health.
On page 14, we analyse the Queensland budget and set out what it means for the ACCHO sector in Queensland.
Goondir Health Services continues a milestone 2024 with the opening of the St George Community Wellbeing Centre (page 40), a multi-million-dollar conversion of the old St George RSL building to a multi-use space for community activities and health and wellbeing programs. Goondir also turns 30 this year (page 42).
Our friends at Yulu-Burri-Ba graciously invited the QAIHC team to attend their 40th anniversary celebration in April. It was a beautiful day celebrating the contribution Yulu-Burri-Ba has made to the Quandamooka people, and Indigenous people of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and the bayside suburbs. Read all about it on page 44.
I’d like to make special mention of some other Members celebrating milestone birthdays this year — Goolburri (30 years), Kalwun (30 years), Apunipima (30 years), CWAATSICH (30 years), Wuchopperen (45 years) and TAIHS (50 years).
If you have any articles or news you wish to share in future editions of Sector Leader, please contact our Communications team at communications@qaihc.com.au.
Matthew Cooke Chairman
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council
We welcome submissions from our Members and Associates on the great work being undertaken within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health organisation (ACCHO) sector.
If you would like to contribute story ideas for consideration or comment on items in the current issue, please contact our Communications team at communications@qaihc.com.au. Previous issues can be viewed online at qaihc.com.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this publication contains images or names of people who have passed away. QAIHC has been granted permission by the family of Cleveland Fagan to feature his image on our front cover and within this issue.
8 Twist takes New York
News 10 First Nations leaders appointed to Hospital and Health Boards 12 Cape and Torres leaders hail milestone incorporation of new community-controlled health commissioning entity
13 New investment to support wellbeing of First Nations kids and families
14 Record investment of $156.7 million to build thriving sector National News
18 The Commonwealth Budget at a glance Data Room
20 Government funding for ACCHO services falls short amid rising demand
Care Journey 23 Exploring our role 24 Cover Story — Cleveland Fagan — a champion for change
Member News
40 St George celebrates opening of new community wellbeing centre 42 Goondir celebrates 30 years
44 Yulu-Burri-Ba celebrates 40 years
46 IUIH welcomes new executive appointments
46 NCACCH staff mark 20-year anniversaries
26 QAIHC advocates for reforms to the National Health Reform Agreement
47 Bidgerdii opens two new clinics in Central Queensland
48 Tulmur (Ipswich) welcomes new Kambu Health clinic
28 Who is going to ensure the health of our future generations? Vote wisely
30 Queensland’s ACCHO sector: What we want for our future
36 Party pledges to First Nations health
48 PICC grant to deliver rental and accommodation assistance for DVF victimsurvivors
49 Deadly Entertainment
QAIHC provides advocacy and support to 31 Members and two Regional Members across Queensland. Here’s an overview of QAIHC’s recent activities to support our Members.
The Health Reform team has been busy working towards the implementation of Cape and Torres Health Commissioning (CaTHC), previously known as TORCH/ the Entity, which was incorporated on 1 May (see page 12 for the full story). More consultation and engagement activities for CaTHC are planned in the near future.
QAIHC’s Closing the Gap Manager, Stanley Tatipata, said he has been examining the Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap, and analysing what it means for Queensland’s ACCHOs. Stanley was also part of the group drafting the Closing the Gap Joint Council’s response to the Australian Productivity Commission’s review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. He attended the quarterly Partnership Working Group between Coalition of Peaks members and the Commonwealth, state and territory governments meeting on 6 June 2024.
Senior Policy Officer Teisha Nikolaou, Project Coordinator Ryen Diggle and Business Operations Specialist Jacob Pagan have been identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement in hospital and health service health equity strategies, ensuring they are aligned with legislation and best practices in the field.
Additionally, Teisha has been providing guidance on health equity issues to the South West Primary Care Alliance. She is also supporting CWAATSICH CEO Sheryl Lawton in the analysis and development of the South West Primary Care pilot. This pilot project aims to improve access to coordinated and integrated care for people living with chronic and complex conditions, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and resources for better health outcomes.
Public Health Medical Director, Associate Professor Sophie Couzos, developed policy solutions to better manage medication shortages affecting our Member services and advocated on PBS and pharmacy-related issues. She undertook quality assurance work related to RHD/ARF, diabetes, cancer, sexual health, and immunisation. She also worked on an evidence-based approach to CQI (ARF/RHD/ STI/BBV). Finally, Dr Couzos supported Members by developing QAIHC submissions and manages the Clinical Leaders Forum and public health training.
QAIHC is excited to welcome our new Social Health Programs Manager Tiana Lea, who is now in her 11th year at QAIHC! Tiana was most recently our Office and Events Manager. She is excited to support Members by delivering a range of social and emotional wellbeing, as well as alcohol and other drug (AoD) programs. Tiana is looking forward to engaging with Members and the sector’s mental health/AoD workers. Sector Development took the lead role in supporting and facilitating the Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) State Gathering, held on the Gold Coast in March. This gathering brought Members from across the state to share ideas, provide insight into community service best practices, and provide peer network support.
In-line with our Strategic Plan, Sector Development has engaged with Members on various matters including identifying Member priorities, identifying risks or shortfalls and improving our engagement. There will a Northern and Southern SEWB Gathering held soon, with dates and venue to be confirmed.
The Sector Development team, with support from the Communications and Design teams, has rolled out the Don’t Wait Vaccinate campaign as part of QAIHC’s commitment to support the ACCHO sector’s immunisation services, and raising the immunisation coverage rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Finance team has been working hard to support several Members by finalising their periodic financial statements. The team has also been preparing budget statements and papers for these Members for the FY 24/25. Additionally, the team has been helping Members to improve processes and procedures to carry out their activities smoothly.
Our QAIHC Human Resources (HR) team members, Glenn Kitto and Ron Nelson, are supporting Members with a range of people management activities. These include serving as temporary HR managers to a few Member services, workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, policy revision, contract reviews, and creating Member presentations on topics like psychosocial hazards and the right to disconnect. These resources are available on the Resources tab on the QAIHC website. For advice or people management needs, email Glenn at glenn.kitto@qaihc.com.au.
The Events team has coordinated several events in support of the ACCHO sector’s continued growth and maturation as an industry. Events included the SEWB State Gathering, ACCHOs’ Role in the Cancer Care Journey, Data Systems & Reporting Workshop and Elder Care Program Training.
QAIHC’s Information Technology (IT) team has been hard at work helping several Members audit, refresh and acquire up-to-date hardware with new security features. The team also reduced several Members’ reliance on in-house data storage, while also improving their data security, by assisting in migrating data to the cloud. Finally, Senior IT Analyst Dean Pratt has completed the TAFEcyber Essential Eight Assessment Course, which has increased the team’s capacity to audit environments against modern standards.
With the permission of TAIHS, the Design and Communications teams have shared resources from TAIHS’ flu vaccination campaign to Members. The campaign concept and messaging were developed by TAIHS staff, while the design was created by the Design team. The customisable resources included a poster and social media tiles.
The Data team’s Senior Data Officer Anna Sheahan said the January 2024 Clinical Indicator Reports have been sent out to Member service CEOs who submit data to QAIHC’s Health Information team. The team also staged the Data Systems & Reporting Workshop, in partnership with Events over 23-24 May. Anna wishes to acknowledge the hard work and wonderful/terrible dad jokes of former Data Officer Adam Heterick, who has accepted a position with the Australian National University and the Telethon Kids Institute as a bioinformatician.
General Manager Policy and Research, Greg Richards, along with Senior Policy Officer Carissa McAllister, were in Canberra for an information session hosted by NACCHO on the national ACCHO Sector Cancer Program from 20-24 May. Greg and Carissa provided an update on QAIHC’s recent workshop ACCHOs’ Role in the Cancer Care Journey that was held in South Brisbane from 7-8 May.
QAIHC has hosted its inaugural Elder Care Training Workshop, in a step toward strengthening capabilities and addressing aged care training needs in Queensland’s ACCHO sector.
The 17 May event drew more than 20 enthusiastic staff from Member organisations across the state, showing the commitment of QAIHC’s Members to enhancing Elder care.
Facilitated by Marion Dwyer, QAIHC’s Senior Coordinator for Elder Care with support throughout from IUIH, the workshop provided a platform for participants to connect, share insights, and discuss priorities and capacities.
The event received positive feedback, with participants praising the engaging and relevant content throughout.
One attendee described the day as a “blast” and appreciated the opportunity to meet and learn from peers.
Another attendee described the workshop as a “deadly day,” noting the valuable knowledge gained and expressed looking forward to future gatherings.
QAIHC extends thanks to all attendees, IUIH’s General Manager of Aged Care, Matt Moore and Marion Dwyer for her leadership and efforts in organising an event of this scale.
The success of this workshop underscores QAIHC’s ongoing commitment to supporting its Members and improving Elder care services across Queensland.
QAIHC’s Board of Directors are working to finalise QAIHC’s Blueprint 2.0, a 10-year plan to guide our strategic direction to 2034.
The Board expects to share Blueprint 2.0 with Members in July 2024, ahead of a planned forum between sector leaders and Queensland Health executives.
As the peak body representing ACCHOs in Queensland, QAIHC will focus on the following core functions:
Supporting Members to deliver world-class primary healthcare and a broad range of integrated services to their communities.
Advocating for health system reform that will better enable our Member services to deliver world-class primary healthcare and a broad range of integrated services to their communities.
QAIHC Chairman Mr Matthew Cooke said QAIHC was determined the ACCHO sector was expressly recognised as part of Queensland’s health system and was appropriately funded to deliver healthcare essential to Closing the Gap.
“ACCHOs play a pivotal role in Queensland’s health system, but they continue to be under-resourced and under recognised,” he said.
Blueprint 2.0 will demonstrate how QAIHC will champion structural change that ensures ACCHOs are empowered partners in Queensland’s integrated health system.
“It will also guide efforts to ensure the sector is funded and supported to deliver comprehensive, holistic and culturally appropriate primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities in cities, rural, regional and remote areas.
“Blueprint 2.0 will reinforce our core principles: QAIHC exists to support the Member organisations we represent and, through them, the communities they serve.
“A strong sector will drive a strong system, improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples.”
QAIHC Youth Hub Network
Coordinator Taeg Twist had the privilege of attending the United Nations Headquarters in New York this April for the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) with a delegation of five other young Indigenous Australians.
Taeg applied for a spot through the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME). The application process involved a detailed expression of interest (EOI) which included a three-minute video and a proposal for a ‘custodial economics project’.
“I developed a proposal for a project called ‘Youth Guardians’ which would encourage young people’s environmental stewardship of Country,”
Taeg said.
The next step was a two-day diplomacy training program with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the National Indigenous Australians Agency, that informed delegates on expectations when in the UN, networking techniques, and how to prepare ‘interventions’ for presentation at the Forum.
In UN-speak, interventions are discrete pieces of the discussion going on and could be presentations, proposals, speeches, documents, demonstrations or even events.
Taeg described the trip as a two-week whirlwind of meetings, discussions and cultural exchanges.
Taeg’s EOI led to an interview with AIME and from there, they were selected.
Taeg’s delegation took part in a panel discussion with Australia’s Ambassador for First Nations People — Ambassador Justin Mohamed. Kaurna woman Jakirah Telfer, who coordinated South Australia’s “Yes” campaign for the Voice to Parliament referendum, discussed
her disappointment and hurt at the outcome of the Voice to Parliament referendum.
Taeg said they came away with a renewed sense of purpose in working to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
The Forum was super inspiring, with powerful speeches and workshops showing how resilient and innovative indigenous people are around the world,” they said.
“Hearing and learning the stories of different mobs’ struggles and successes really moved me. It was empowering to see everyone so unified in their commitment to human rights and sustainability.
Outside the formal sessions, the connections we made over coffee and at cultural events really highlighted the strength of unity and our shared goals.”
QAIHC congratulates three First Nations health leaders who have been appointed as Chairs to Queensland hospital and health service boards.
QAIHC Acting CEO Paula Arnol said the boards of Central Queensland HHS, Torres and Cape HHS and Gold Coast HHS were fortunate to have secured accomplished leaders.
Matthew Cooke, Renee Williams and Professor Shannon are exceptional leaders who are dedicated to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland,” she said.
“This is another step forward for health equity in Queensland.
“With their background in Indigenous health, they will provide a strong voice for their people and will be influential in shaping health policy focused on closing the health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Queenslanders.
“We are looking forward to working with them on delivering health solutions that are comprehensive, culturally safe and accessible to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of all ages, needs and abilities across Queensland.”
QAIHC Chair Matthew Cooke, 37, has been appointed Chair of the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Board.
A proud Bailai man, Mr Cooke is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Nhulundu Health Service, the Aboriginal and Islander community-controlled health service in Gladstone, and the Executive Chairperson for the First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda People Aboriginal Corporation.
Mr Cooke is also the former chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) in Australia. He has more than 18 years of experience in executive roles.
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service is responsible for the direct management of facilities within its geographic boundaries including Biloela Hospital, Capricorn Coast Hospital, Emerald Hospital, Gladstone Hospital and Rockhampton Hospital.
QAIHC Member and Torres Health Indigenous Corporation CEO Renee Williams has been appointed as the Chair for the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Board.
Renee, who has paternal linkages to the Bindal and Juru peoples, and maternal linkages to the Wakka Wakka people as well as Mer and Erub Islands, was previously the General Manager, Policy and Research for QAIHC.
She has also worked as the consulting CEO of Boorndawan Aboriginal Health Service in Victoria, and has worked for VACCHO, NACCHO and Apunipima Cape York Health Council.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service is responsible for the direct management of facilities within its geographic boundaries including Weipa Integrated Health Service, Thursday Island Hospital, Bamaga Hospital and Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service.
Professor Cindy Shannon, a Ngugi woman and an advisor in Indigenous health, was appointed the Chair of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Board.
Professor Shannon was integral in the establishment of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), which is a QAIHC Regional Member.
She is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous, Diversity and Inclusion) at Griffith University and an Emeritus Professor with the University of Queensland.
Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service is responsible for the direct management of facilities within its geographic boundaries including Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital.
Community leaders from the Cape and Torres regions have welcomed the incorporation of the Cape and Torres Health Commissioning Ltd (CaTHC), a new health care commissioning entity for the area.
CaTHC is an independent, community-controlled regional health care entity which will commission health services based on evidence and local community input.
It will allow all communities in the Cape York, Northern Peninsula Area and Torres Strait to have a greater say in the planning and funding of health services that meet their health needs and priorities.
“CaTHC embodies the principles of self-determination and empowerment, granting authority to local place-based leaders to make key decisions about health services,” she said.
The community leaders of the Torres and Cape are ready to lead a community-controlled health commissioning entity and to listen and share the voice of the Cape and Torres community about their health needs and aspirations.”
Chair Addo said the Board was working quickly to undertake key activities including developing a strategic plan, health needs assessment and a comprehensive whole-of-community engagement approach.
The transition of funding to CaTHC will be implemented in a staged approach over the next 10 years with commissioning activities to commence shortly.
CaTHC was originally established under the Torres and Cape Health Care (TORCH) Commissioning Fund project (the TORCH project), a joint commitment by the community leaders in the Torres and Cape, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council and the Commonwealth and Queensland governments.
CaTHC Board chairperson Aileen Addo said the incorporation of CaTHC represented a significant step towards “place-based and community-led health initiatives”.
In 2021, the TORCH project was established under the Health Innovation Fund by the former Minister for Health, Greg Hunt MP, later supported by Health Minister Mark Butler, as well as support from former Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath MP and current Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman MP, to create an independent regional community-controlled healthcare commissioning entity that plans and purchases health services based on evidence and local community priorities.
The Cape and Torres Health Commissioning Ltd was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 1 May 2024.
The CaTHC Board comprises expert directors from various areas of the Torres Strait and Cape regions, including the Outer Islands of the Torres Straits, Thursday Island, Northern Peninsula Area and communities of both Eastern and Western Cape York.
The Queensland Government’s Putting Queensland Kids First strategy offers QAIHC Members opportunities to benefit from investments supporting the health, wellbeing and growth of First Nations kids and their families.
With an investment of nearly $500 million, including nearly $70 million specifically earmarked for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and programs, the strategy is a chance to embed culturally safe early childhood and family programs in our Communities.
The strategy emphasises partnerships with non-government organisations (NGOs) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations to deliver culturally appropriate and integrated support to enhance health outcomes for Queensland children and families.
Central to the strategy is a commitment to embedding children and families at the heart of community services, ensuring culturally inclusive, diverse, and equitable access to preventive care and support.
The strategy includes:
$21.7 million for local placebased policies and co-designed community responses, aimed at connected, community-led delivery.
$108.15 million for wellbeing from the earliest stages of life, recognising the importance of establishing a healthy foundation for lifelong resilience.
$77.3 million for creating nurturing environments that empower caregivers and enhance child development.
Embedding Early Childhood Coordinators within community services, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, to provide comprehensive, wraparound support.
$143.52 million for responsive support for healthy development and positive life courses, highlighting the government’s priority on early identification and intervention for children with developmental delays, ensuring timely and effective support.
$146.95 million for supporting confident steps through life and learning, fostering positive educational outcomes and smooth transitions from early childhood to schooling.
This approach includes extending free kindergarten hours and integrating health practitioners within primary schools, directly benefiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
For more information on the Putting Queensland Kids First strategy visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/about/puttingqld-kids-first
QAIHC has welcomed the Queensland Government’s $324.7 million Budget commitment to address health inequities facing First Nations Queenslanders, including a record $156.7 million to help QAIHC and the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) strengthen the capacity and capability of our ACCHO sector.
The $156.7 million investment includes:
$9 million over four years to QAIHC to strengthen and empower the ACCHO sector; strengthen and establish formal partnerships and shared decision making with the ACCHO sector; shift health care from hospitals to the ACCHO sector; improve access to community-controlled care; and improve and share access to data and information to allow the sector to make informed decisions.
$92.5 million over four years to IUIH to support the expansion of five community-controlled First Nations health and wellbeing service hubs, easing pressure on public services for primary health care, maternity care, allied health and mental health services. Also to integrate with a broader range of social services within the Southeast Queensland First Nations network.
$20 million over four years to expand the existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health service at Station Street, Logan, into an integrated health and wellbeing precinct to serve the local population of 4,000 First Nations people.
$35.2 million over four years to increase the capacity and capability of regional ACCHOs to lead the planning, development and commissioning of integrated healthcare services for First Nations peoples; increasing health care managed in a community setting to reduce visits to the ER, shorten hospital stays and create better patient experiences; and support the creation of a health commissioning fund for Cape York and Torres Strait regions.
This is a record investment in First Nations health in Queensland and a significant step in the right direction. However, it must be seen as a starting point. A sustained commitment to the sector is required if we are ever going to meet the promise of governments to close the gap by 2031,” said QAIHC Chairman Matthew Cooke.
“Following the failed referendum last year and the widening health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Queenslanders, this investment was absolutely essential, and will ensure we can take practical steps to strengthen the sector and improve the performance of Queensland’s health system.
“It will assist ACCHOs to strengthen their capability to work more effectively as an integral part of the health system to deliver quality care to First Nations peoples, whether they live in cities or regional, rural or remote areas.
“The budget is a critical step towards addressing the health challenges faced by our communities, which experience significant health and social inequities, including rising suicide rates, high rates of chronic disease, lower life expectancy rates and systematic discrimination.”
Mr Cooke welcomed the Opposition’s commitment to deliver the budget commitments by the ALP Miles Government if it won the 26 October state election.
“New funds and existing investment must go where they achieve the best outcome for First Nations peoples and communities in Queensland,” he said.
We look forward to working with government to deliver health solutions that are First Nations-led, community-designed and controlled, and culturally safe.”
Other important initiatives for First Nations health include:
$145 million to empower the First Nations workforce to deliver flexible care across service boundaries, increasing the number of First Nations health care professionals, improving cultural competency and coordinating care across different healthcare settings.
$20 million to transform care to address rheumatic heart disease with initiatives like the Healthy Housing program.
$2.4 million to lay the foundations to eliminate racism by transforming government organisations so they work better for First Nations people, including ensuring they receive culturally capable care.
The Commonwealth government handed down its 2024-2025 Budget on 14 May. How did First Nations health fare in this year’s budget announcements? Sector Leader investigates.
Communicable disease control in Indigenous communities, mental health support and suicide prevention were the Albanese Government’s core commitments to First Nations health and wellbeing in the 2024-2025 Federal Budget.
But QAIHC Chairman Matthew Cooke said the Budget was a bitter disappointment, as it did not do more for the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people and did not respond to the Australian Productivity Commission’s critical review of the progress of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
strategies for First Nations vaccination uptake, sexually transmissible infection testing and culturally safe sexual health services, as well as communicable disease molecular point of care testing.
“The Commonwealth must strengthen partnerships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communitycontrolled health organisation (ACCHO) sector to drive better outcomes for our people.
“The government should have made concrete investments to significantly increase funding through the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme and respond to the findings of the recent Productivity Commission review on progress of Closing the Gap.
The Australian Government’s Budget also announced funding commitments of $12 million in suicide prevention; $10 million for Aboriginal community controlled health organisations, via NACCHO to deliver targeted and culturally appropriate mental health support; and $11.1 million over five years to expand coverage of the Closing the Gap Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Co-Payment Program to all PBS medicines.
This budget is a missed opportunity following the failed referendum and the continued underperformance of Closing the Gap measures,” QAIHC Chairman Matthew Cooke said.
The centerpiece of the Federal Government’s 2024-2025 Budget commitments to First Nations health was $94.9 million in funding over two years to continue and expand national
The Budget should have provided a watershed moment for the Albanese Government. With a $9 billion budget surplus, the Government could have made real investments to deliver on the promise to close the gap by 2031, a promise which fades further away each day,” Mr Cooke said.
We need more regional and local place-based investment. While real investment in social and emotional wellbeing is needed, the government’s approach to investment contributes to the confetti shower of inadequate and piecemeal funding.
“Here in Queensland, it’s time to invest in building and strengthening our ACCHOs, and the structures that empower First Nations communities to provide local, culturally safe, health solutions.”
$12.8 million over four years from 2024–25 to extend the Indigenous Youth Connection to Culture program which supports First Nations youth in 12 communities through place-based activities to reduce suicide rates and improve mental health outcomes.
$10 million for ACCHOs via NACCHO to deliver targeted and culturally appropriate mental health support.
$11.1 million over five years from 2023-24 to expand coverage of the Closing the Gap Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Co-payment Program to all PBS medicines, broadening access to affordable PBS medicines for First Nations people living with, or at risk of, chronic disease.
$94.9 million over two years to support management of communicable disease control in First Nations communities.
Measures for communicable diseases, including respiratory illnesses, hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
($28.6 million).
Measures for transmissible illnesses and culturally safe sexual health services.
($17.5 million).
Measures to boost vaccination rates and protect people — especially children — from the effects of diseases like measles, diphtheria and Hepatitis A with funding for the National Immunisation Program and the ACCHO sector ($32.3 million).
New MBS items will include point of care testing for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoea, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis for healthcare services located within remote (MM 6) and very remote (MM 7) communities ($16.5 million).
$12.5 million over four years to NACCHO to facilitate communityled distribution of menstrual products in regional and remote First Nations communities where menstrual products are expensive and hard for First Nations women and girls to access.
$4 million over four years from 2024-2025 to the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association to continue to support for First Nations doctors to become medical specialists.
$4.7 million over five years from 2023-2024 for the Northern Territory Medical Program to increase the number of First Nations medical practitioners and address recruitment and retention challenges.
The Midwife Professional Indemnity Scheme will be expanded to cover privately practising midwives providing low risk homebirths, including Birthing on Country services for First Nations women.
$31.4 million for the management of Torres Strait/PNG cross border health issues, funding to Queensland Department of Health for healthcare and disease prevention in the Torres Strait Islands.
Queensland’s ACCHO sector is under pressure to support the mounting demand for services, including an increased patient caseload and the spiralling chronic disease burden impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
QAIHC Acting CEO Paula Arnol said funding for the ACCHO sector has never met the sector’s needs, despite national expenditure for health services tailored to the needs of Indigenous Australians increasing 38% from June 2011 to June 2020.1
“The Queensland ACCHO sector is struggling to meet increased demand for services, while operating with minimal government funds and resources — most health funding is diverted away from the ACCHO sector to mainstream hospital and health services,” Ms Arnol said.
“Despite this, clients are coming to see Aboriginal medical services because they want culturally appropriate health care. Over the five years from 2019-2023, the Queensland ACCHO sector’s active patient population has spiked 53% to 84,000 clients.2
“Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is also increasing rapidly. In 2031, the Indigenous population is projected to number between 302,093 and 315,585 persons.3
“Chronic disease is also a big concern in our communities. In 2019, the total burden of disease rate was 2.1 times higher for First Nations Queenslanders than that of other Queenslanders. Mental health and substance use disorders were the leading cause of health burden, and cancers the leading cause of death.4” This is why QAIHC continues to advocate for better funding and welcomes the Queensland government investment. It’s why we are advocating for national funding reform.
1. AIHW 2024. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework - Summary report. Canberra, AIHW.
2. Health Data Portal. National Key Performance Indicators (nKPI) data for December 2019 and December 2023 reporting period. Department of Health and Aged Care.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Queensland’s burden of disease rate4
2.1 x higher for Indigenous than non-Indigenous
rate of burden of disease for Indigenous Queenslanders4
24% Mental and substance use disorders
3. Queensland Government Statistician’s office 2021. Population estimates and projections, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders, 2006 to 2031. Queensland Treasury, Brisbane.
4. Queensland Government Chief Health Officer Queensland 2018. First Nations Australians burden of disease. Queensland Health, Brisbane.
Queensland’s ACCHO sector plays a critical role in delivering high-quality, holistic and culturally safe healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the state.
Additionally, the ACCHO sector delivers various programs such as dental care, aged care, child and maternal health care, social and emotional wellbeing and allied health.
Ms Arnol said the high-quality primary health care that the ACCHO sector delivered was making a real difference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the state.
Over the past five years, the rate of potentially preventable hospitalisations in Queensland for the Indigenous population remained constant.5
This indirectly highlights the efforts from the ACCHO sector in providing quality health care services in primary healthcare settings to avoid unnecessary burden on the tertiary health care system,” Ms Arnol said.
5. Data source: Queensland Perinatal Data Collection (QPDC), 2023. Prepared by Statistical Reporting and Coordination, Statistical service branch, Queensland Health, Brisbane.
According to QAIHC, Commonwealth and state funding is not meeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population growth, comprehensive service delivery, nor the complexity of care provided by the ACCHO sector.
Ms Arnol called for reform to the funding mechanisms to recognise the role of ACCHOs.
ACCHOs currently receive most of their funding through fragmented grant funding arrangements and a flawed MBS system,” she said.
“Our people don’t benefit from the PBS in the way most other Australians do. The Commonwealth needs to reform the MBS, PBS and National Health Reform Agreement so ACCHOs are recognised and acknowledged as an integral part of our health system: and new investments made to allow ACCHOs to play a greater role in health service delivery.
New funding mechanisms will create opportunities for services to partner with ACCHOs to deliver health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. They will also create opportunities to improve income through MBS and ensure First Nations people have much better access to prescription medicines.”
To strengthen the ACCHO sector further, QAIHC called for more transparency in terms of funding allocation and MBS revenue.
“The funding allocation data dashboard is long overdue from the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). This type of funding allocation transparency would help the ACCHO sector to better plan the health service needs which will eventually further improve the quality of the healthcare,” Ms Arnol said.
Cancer is a disease affecting all Australians. But for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, cancers are the leading broad cause of death1.
Indigenous Australians also have a higher incidence of fatal, screendetectable and preventable cancers, and are more likely to be diagnosed at more advanced stages compared to non-Indigenous Australians.
For this reason, QAIHC facilitated the ACCHOs’ Role in the Cancer Care Journey workshop at Novotel Brisbane South Bank on 7-8 May.
Professor Gail Harvey, NHMRC Leadership Fellow and Professor in Indigenous Health Research in the University of Queensland’s Faculty of Medicine, discussed the importance of grounding cancer care strategies in the experiences of those most affected by cancer.
Speakers at the workshop included the late Cleveland Fagan, Professor Jacinta Elston, Professor Gail Garvey, and other notable experts, covering the importance of early detection, culturally sensitive care, integrating lived experiences into patient-centred care, and the need for collaborative strategies to address the disparities in cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Professor Jacinta Elston, an academic and leader in Indigenous health, spoke about her personal cancer journey in her talk, Surviving Cancer and the Health System. Her challenges with late diagnosis highlighted the importance of early detection and sometimes-tough family conversations.
Professor Harvey covered barriers to cancer prevention, detection and care faced by First Nations Queenslanders. Low health literacy, inadequate family support, and the need for better communication within healthcare settings are barriers to receiving timely cancer care and prevention. She also noted the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays and missed cancer screening opportunities.
During the Local Priorities panel discussion, the focus was on proactive strategies to prevent cancer and detect
cancer early. The panel agreed that holistic care models supporting the social, emotional, mental, spiritual, community and physical health of cancer patients and their families need to be integrated into more services.
QAIHC came away from the workshop with several actionable insights into the ACCHO’s role in the cancer care journey as well as several priorities for action highlighted by our Members.
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). 1.08 Cancer. Indigenous Health Performance Framework. https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/1-08-cancer
Former QAIHC CEO Cleveland Fagan, who passed away on 10 June 2024, was well-known and respected in the ACCHO sector for his deep passion for health equity and improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
A proud Djabugay man with traditional and historical connections to Cairns, Yarrabah, Kuranda, Mareeba and Cape York, Cleveland always knew he wanted to make a difference.
Throughout his career, Cleveland played an instrumental role in championing the cause of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including empowering communities to share decision-making with governments on health matters that impacted them.
The biggest challenge in the health sector is being told what is best for us — without truly listening to us,” he told Sector Leader in 2021.
Cleveland’s achievements in reshaping the health system were significant and will benefit Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples for generations.
He advocated for Gurriny Yealamucka in Yarrabah to transition from a government-run entity to a community controlled managed health service. Cleveland also helped revise Wuchopperen’s constitution and served on its Board.
He was the CEO of Apunipima Cape York Health Council for 12 years from 2005-2017, guiding the organisation’s transition from an advocacy organisation to primary health care provider.
Cleveland was a founding member of the Yarrabah Leaders Forum (YLF); his hard work and dedication recently paid off, with the YLF becoming incorporated last month.
He was the CEO Of QAIHC from 2021-2023. During his tenure, Cleveland worked tirelessly on initiatives like Making Tracks Together, the Queensland Government’s strategic framework aimed at driving health equity, eliminating institutional racism across the public health system, and achieving life expectancy parity for First Nations people by 2031.
His leadership was also instrumental in partnering with Queensland Health to design a joint response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to drive its First Nations health reform agenda. Cleveland’s proudest achievement; however, was his family.
He was a beloved husband to Ruth, father to Clevanna and Sarah, and his grandchildren. Cleveland was also son to Dr Uncle Bernard Singleton Sr and brother to Jason, Royden, Louise and Bernie.
His profound impact on the sector, and his unwavering compassion, dedication and gentle nature will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council is advocating, though a national reform process, for amendments to the National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) to recognise ACCHOs as an integral part of our health system and for funding reform.
QAIHC’s proposed reforms would position ACCHOs as essential health care providers within a fully integrated health system.
Changes to funding arrangements would unlock new funding that would allow the ACCHO sector to deliver essential primary health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland and reduce the burden on the public health system.
To strengthen the sector and improve future health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Commonwealth must reform funding arrangements for ACCHOs so the sector has dedicated, reliable and consistent funding to deliver sub-acute hospital care in our communities and closer to home,” QAIHC Chairman Matthew Cooke said.
The Mid-Term Review of the National Health Reform Agreement Addendum 2020-2025 was released in October 2023.
The report recognised the need for more actions, in a revised version of the NHRA, to reflect the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. While there is reference to Closing the Gap in the NHRA, there was “little evidence” that current funding and governance mechanisms are addressing the issues of access and equity for First Nations’ people.
The review stated that the role of local hospital networks (LHNs), primary health networks (PHNs) and ACCHOs needed to be reinvigorated and authorised with flexible funding to support local initiatives.
The review also identified the need for a clear commitment to close the gap for First Nations’ people: “A new Agreement should have a specific Schedule that enunciates the shared commitment of
The National Health Reform Agreement or NRHA is an agreement between the Australian Government and all state and territory governments.
Through this agreement, the Australian Government contributes funds to the states and territories for public hospital services. This includes services delivered through emergency departments, hospitals and community health settings.
While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) can be funded by our hospital and health services under the agreement to provide care in the community and at home, this doesn’t happen often.
With the right changes to the agreement to expressly recognise the role the Sector should play as part of an integrated health system, ACCHOs could be funded to provide a broader range of care.
the parties to improve the health of First Nations’ people through specific actions and accountabilities to be taken as part of the NHRA. This includes authorising the role of ACCHOs as key participants in the Agreement and its local commissioning, improving cultural safety in health service delivery, in consultation with communities, and establishing agreed measurement and reporting.”
The report conceded that the role of ACCHOs was “not articulated or embedded within local and broader governance arrangements within the NHRA, detracting from the ability of community-controlled organisations to participate in local commissioning and service design.”
Mr Cooke welcomed the findings in the report, stating: “ACCHOs must be recognised and valued as fundamental primary health care providers in the health care system.”
“The sector plays a critical role in providing comprehensive, holistic, culturally appropriate health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities. In line with this holistic approach, ACCHOs support their social, emotional, physical and cultural wellbeing.”
Following the review, the NRHA is now being revised. It is expected an updated version of the NHRA will be approved by the Commonwealth in 2025.
Reforming the NHRA will provide multiple benefits to the ACCHO sector:
The creation of new opportunities for hospital and health services to partner with ACCHOs to deliver health services to Aboriginal and Strait Islander communities.
Unlock funding for ACCHOs to provide essential health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland. Relieve pressure on the public health care system.
Provide opportunities for ACCHOs to collaborate with hospital and health services in the commissioning, planning and design of local health services.
The Queensland Election could be a watershed moment for health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland, but will the next government seize the opportunity to make a difference? QAIHC Acting CEO Paula Arnol is calling for our elected leaders to work with and for our people.
As the 2024 Queensland Election approaches, we challenge Queensland’s major political parties to commit to genuine partnership with our people and to make real investments in First Nations health as part of their election commitments.
our communities need, and we are best placed to support their social, emotional, physical, and cultural wellbeing.
The state’s political parties can make a real and significant difference to health equity for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Queensland.
We stand at a critical juncture following the failed referendum last year, the continued underperformance of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap measures, and the continued failure to recognise and fund our sector as a integral part of the health system.
How can we influence and engage with the incoming government to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland? How should you vote this October?
We can’t tell you how to vote. What we can say is that QAIHC will continue to lobby for genuine partnerships, and investment in our community-controlled health sector.
The winner of this year’s election must look to Queensland’s ACCHO sector to co-design community-led, culturally safe health solutions. ACCHOs can achieve better results for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; we know what
The incoming government must take steps to strengthen the ACCHO sector by: increasing the number of programs and services that are designed and delivered by ACCHOs; prioritising funding to ACCHOs in procurement, grant or program guidelines; and reviewing funding arrangements for ACCHOs, so the sector has dedicated, reliable and consistent funding.
ACCHO sector unites
Over the next several months, we encourage the ACCHO sector in Queensland to positively influence change by engaging with the major political parties in their area.
Talk to your local state MP and political candidates: Inform your MP and potential candidates of the health issues facing your region and how they can advocate for better conditions or your community. Organise a meeting or write a letter to introduce yourself. Each MP is aware that any issue raised in their electorate by an individual may be an issue of concern for many of their potential voters. Invite them to tour your organisation, meet your executives and Board of Directors or invite them to a function.
Ask for specific actions: If possible, predetermine what specific actions you and your service would like to see the candidate undertake if elected to parliament. You may need to consult with your staff or your community members to inform your request. When you make your request, ensure that the actions you are asking for are feasible and realistic. Where there is current available evidence which demonstrates that the action you are requesting improves outcomes, ensure you have this readily available on the handout.
Finally, your vote counts: Know the candidates in your area, and the political parties they represent.
Where does their party stand on First Nations issues, particularly regarding health equity?
How do they propose to improve health outcomes for current and future generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in your region?
Once you are equipped with this knowledge, have a yarn with the members of your community about how they can make a difference.
Let’s empower our communities to take responsibility for their lives and their futures.
The ACCHO sector is proud of the vital and necessary role it plays in the Queensland health sector.
From the Torres Strait to the Gold Coast and as far west as Charleville and Mt Isa, the ACCHO sector provides comprehensive, holistic and culturally safe primary health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in remote, regional and metropolitan areas.
Our Members see first-hand the problems facing many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including lack of health funding; poor access to quality food and water, housing and infrastructure; chronic disease; health workforce shortages; discrimination and health inequity.
They are passionate about improving health outcomes for their communities by working with governments to implement solutions that are community-led and culturally appropriate.
Theresa Simpson
CEO of Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan, which provides health care and accommodation to women and children of Cape York, NPA and Torres while in Cairns Proud Wakka Wakka woman with ancestral and cultural connections to Kalkadoon
Our priorities haven’t changed. Addressing the health inequality of First Nations peoples continues to be as urgent as ever.
Sector Leader interviewed workers from QAIHC and the wider ACCHO sector to ask them what issues were most important to them in the upcoming Queensland election.
Noeleen Selke
CEO of Northern Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Alliance (NATSIHA), the regional peak body representing ACCHOs in Far North Queensland Proud Kaureg woman
Community control is our inalienable right, therefore whatever the Queensland state elections outcomes may be, we need to continue to remain a strong, proud, focused and united community controlled health sector.
The concern is, and we’ve seen this too many times, commitments to addressing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is used as mere political platforms. Once the spotlight is off, commitments fall by the wayside; we fall by the wayside.
For the health status of our people to change, we need sustained commitments. We need promises to be kept.
This means our people’s health priorities remain a priority, regardless of leadership and political term. The severity of the situation overrides party agenda and politics. We’re failing, and our First Nations men, women and children are the ones that are suffering.
We need all politicians and bureaucracies to truly commit to Closing the Gap in health inequality, and commit to it again, again, and again, until we see results.
Jacob Pagan Business Operations Specialist, QAIHC
Proud Barunggam man
In my opinion, for the upcoming Queensland state election, issues that are important to me are focused on health, youth justice, and workforce retention.
First and foremost, adequate health investment and reform are imperative. The Queensland Government must ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities receive targeted funding. Direct support is crucial for enhancing health outcomes within our communities.
Stanley Tatipata Closing the Gap Manager, QAIHC
Proud Kulkalgal and Wuthathi man
From a personal perspective, appropriate access to health services is important to empower me to manage my family’s and my health needs. Being able to get a second, or even a third opinion is time consuming and can be expensive. Wait times to see a doctor really impacts navigating the health system and managing our own health. Unless you know — and can afford — health practitioners that instill confidence then it is overwhelming.
Another area demanding action is youth justice. The system is currently burdened by punitive policies, a lack of holistic approaches, and sensationalist media portrayals. These factors contribute to the disproportionate representation of our youth in the justice system.
Lastly, the government needs to address the disparity in incentives for not-for-profit employees compared to their counterparts.
As the cost-of-living soars, our sector struggles to match the competitive remuneration and superannuation rates offered by government entities. Strengthening workforce retention policies will help sustain our dedicated workers who are essential to our community’s wellbeing.
Jason Fagan
Regional Manager Northern Queensland, QAIHC Proud Djabugay man
From a Members’ point of view, whatever government gets elected, we would like a continued commitment to health equity, globally through the regions.
Our Members want streamlined funding processes. A lot of funding gets caught up in the administrative side of government.
They also want access to workforce resources around critical positions, such as doctors. It would be good if they could share doctors around the sector where there’s a vacancy or a shortage.
Members also want to have more access to elected MPs at a regional level.
Reece Griffin
Clinical Operations Manager, Carbal Medical Services (Toowoomba and Warwick)
Proud Awabakal man
This is what we would like as a commitment from the upcoming state election:
Toowoomba requires a dedicated First Nations service to adequately address the needs of its growing First Nations population.
The number of First Nations births in Toowoomba for 2023 is 377, surpassing the 298 births in Logan, which already benefits from its own dedicated service.
This disparity highlights the urgent need for targeted support and resources in Toowoomba to ensure the wellbeing of First Nations families and infants.
Jermane Herbohn
Regional Manager Southern Queensland, QAIHC
Proud Ko-Ro Muluridgji man, with ancestral and cultural connections to Kuku Yalanji, Wakamin, Yidinji, Djirrbal
I think health equity is a critical issue. We need to build the capacity of Indigenous workers in government departments including health, transport, education and environment to help drive real change in the way the government delivers services and funding to Indigenous communities.
Education around the youth is also important. We need to build pathways for the kids to fulfil their dreams and aspirations. I would rather vote for someone who will pave the way for health and education for Indigenous peoples.
A dedicated service would provide essential support, culturally appropriate care, and resources that are tailored to the unique needs of the First Nations community in Toowoomba, promoting better health outcomes and a stronger sense of community.
A commitment to establish this service would signify the government’s dedication to supporting First Nations people and upholding their right to equitable access to healthcare and services.
William Blackley
Chairperson of Gidgee Healing (largest single ACCHO provider by land area in Queensland — Mount Isa, Doomadgee, Normanton, and Mornington Island)
A proud Kalkuntunga man from Kalkadoon lands in and around Mount Isa
This election, Gidgee is asking political candidates to: Champion us
Over the past 18 months Gidgee Healing has made significant improvements to the delivery of health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We have steadily increased the number of 715 health checks in community and have seen a return rate of nearly 80 per cent of patients.
or Torres Strait Islander, but we welcome government initiatives to help build this capacity within our local communities.
Raise awareness of key health issues
Every health issue matters, but some need special attention. For our communities, at present, the key health issues are:
diabetes
rheumatic heart disease
mental health
oral health
eye health
We need government to understand these key issues, to work with us, and help share information to build awareness around prevention and treatment.
Childhood vaccination rates have risen by more than 35 per cent across our communities. Recently our Doomadgee and Normanton clinics reached a major milestone, achieving an historic 100 per cent completion rate for patients receiving Bicillin injections (the treatment for rheumatic heart disease).
We call on government to advocate for Gidgee Healing and the communities we serve, acknowledging the need for continued improvement and better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples everywhere.
Build the local workforce
We need to build and strengthen our local workforce and provide leadership and advocacy to find new solutions. We are proud that 75 per cent of our workforce is Aboriginal
Collaborate with us
Ensuring that our communities can easily access specialist care without needing to travel to major cities is a challenge.
We call on government to work collaboratively with us to find ways to provide streamlined access to necessary care closer to home.
Overall, Gidgee Healing hopes that government will understand our priorities and our communities and will work with us to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Tiana Lea
Social Health Programs Manager, QAIHC
Proud Kalkadoon and Undumbi woman
From my perspective, I think one of the main issues that needs more attention, help and support is mental health illness and suicide prevention. It is one of our biggest hurdles we face every day and there is no real mention of this when election time comes around.
There needs to be more money and effort put into resources, help, and support for black people with the struggles of living in our society.
This is very distressing when you see your own mob struggle to get the help they need for their mental health — you have to tick a box to get into see a doctor then wait for a week or so, just to see a professional to get some help. There is so much more that needs to happen.
It is a very complicated system when it doesn’t have to be, it would be good to see the government actually take the time to sit with people who suffer with this illness, to see what their needs are and how to help properly, to get them to a better place. They are the ones who are suffering and know what’s best for them.
There are so many questions that need answering that go unanswered, so that’s my biggest worry when it comes to election time. There is no discussion or good pathways regarding mental health. There are so many stages to get this right; this is why it’s important to me.
With the Queensland election scheduled for Saturday October 26, Sector Leader contacted all top five political parties in Queensland — the ALP, LNP, Greens, One Nation and Katter’s Australia — seeking their election commitments to First Nation’s health in Queensland.
Note: Katter’s Australia party was contacted by Sector Leader, but did not supply a submission on its priorities.
tes , Shadow Minis for Hea
The LNP recognises the important work of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisation (ACCHO) sector and values the integral role these organisations play across Queensland’s health system. If elected in October, the LNP will continue to work in partnership with the ACCHO sector to deliver improved health outcomes for First Nations Queenslanders.
It’s no secret that Queensland’s public hospital system is in a state of disrepair, and it’s now widely acknowledged that Queensland’s health system is in crisis. It’s not the fault of the amazing people on the frontline trying desperately to keep to Queensland’s health system on the rails.
We acknowledge that many First Nation Queenslanders will seek out and choose to receive their healthcare with ACCHO organisations, where they are available. The LNP wants to leverage the rich expertise that exists within the ACCHO sector, and support the sector to help deliver the care that’s needed, particularly across regional, rural and remote Queensland.
The old adage that prevention is better than a cure remains true. Together, much can be achieved working across the areas of prevention and disease surveillance — the LNP sees this as a key opportunity to work together.
The benefits are twofold. It means improved health outcomes for First Nation Queenslanders by decreasing the incidence and severity of the conditions they may face. It also means that Queensland’s hospitals are freed up to treat those who are most ill, and most in need of care.
Respectfully and carefully, we’ll work to better integrate and connect the work done caring for Queenslanders across the public health system and ACCHO providers.
It is simply the result of a health system that has not been appropriately planned for, resourced, or run for nearly a decade.
As a result, under the current government, access to health services in regional, rural and remote Queensland have declined in recent years — with many Indigenous Queenslanders unable to access basic healthcare in their own communities.
From Opposition we have put a spotlight on State Government health failures in Indigenous communities under the current government, including in the Torres Strait, which are now being officially reviewed.
Every Queenslander, regardless of where they live, should have access to world-class healthcare services and we are very concerned about the failures we have seen in our Indigenous communities and across regional Queensland.
With that, the benefits are not just for the individual’s and community’s health and wellbeing. It stretches into improved educational outcomes, community cohesion, and social outcomes.
To close the gap on Indigenous health outcomes, we must ensure Indigenous Queenslanders have access to basic amenities.
In many discreet Indigenous communities, the things the majority of Queenslanders take for granted are simply not there. Clean and safe drinking water, secure housing, modern wastewater treatment, reliable access to communication technology and electricity — in some communities these things still don’t exist.
Easier access to healthcare is a priority for the LNP. Similarly, delivering the essential foundations for healthcare, including housing and clean drinking water are priorities. These critical foundations must be in place for these communities to prosper, and for the wellbeing of their population to thrive.
Decisions made by successive governments have resulted in massive health inequality in Queensland. Decades of underfunding of First Nations health, housing and community support services — as well as ongoing paternalistic attitudes of all levels of government — has led to poorer health outcomes for First Nations communities.
The Greens are committed to advocating for:
Boosting the funding to self-determined, communityled First Nations health services to increase their capacity to care for their own communities
Ensuring that funding is stable
The Queensland Greens are committed to delivering better access to health services for First Nations people, and believe that a significant increase in funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) is essential to this.
We know that when First Nations people control the design and delivery of services that affect them, First Nations people are both more likely to access them and get better treatment outcomes. We also know that in a wealthy state like Queensland, the only barrier to ACCHOs getting the funding they need is the political will. Nationwide, there is a shortfall in funding for ACCHOs of around $4.4 billion, which includes shortfalls in Commonwealth, State and Territory Government and non-government funding.
As NACCHO writes “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience disease burden at 2.3 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians, which translates into 2.03 times the cost-of-service delivery for non-Indigenous Australians” . 1
Our MPs have seen firsthand how important the work of ACCHOs is in our local communities, and how their current underfunding is impacting their ability to meet the level of need. It’s also worth noting that the holistic support we have seen delivered by local ACCHOs often far exceeds the quality of support mainstream health services offer, and that the quality of mainstream health services could also be vastly improved if the government modelled them off ACCHOs.
Ensuring community-led First Nations health services have the funding they need to also invest in early preventative programs
Additional funding for infrastructure, staff, program implementation, patient transport, and public health outreach
Growing the First Nations health and wellbeing workforce to provide culturally appropriate care to their communities. This needs to include skills and workforce development, funding to address pay disparities, funding to implement the Queensland First Nations Health Workforce Strategy for Action, and free uni and TAFE for First Nations people studying in any health field
Funding for public housing, funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community housing providers, and measures such as a rent freeze, to ensure all First Nations people have a safe, affordable place to call home.
1. NACCHO-and-Equity-Economics-Report-Measuring-the-Gap-in-Health-Expenditure_FINAL.pdf
One Nation acknowledges statistically significant gaps in health services and outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders, primarily those who live in regional and remote communities. We don’t consider those gaps will ever be closed by treating Queenslanders differently based on their race or cultural background. We consider the gaps will be more effectively addressed by treating all Queenslanders the same regardless of race.
health needs, and it’s critical there is a sufficient degree of autonomy for regional health authorities and country hospitals to prioritise their resources according to local needs. One Nation will improve health services in regional, rural, and remote Queensland by:
Our commitments to the health of Indigenous Queenslanders are precisely the same commitments we extend to the health of all Queenslanders.
That being said, One Nation also acknowledges that accessibility to health services and preventative health for Indigenous people can be improved by integrating approaches that are more compatible with cultural backgrounds. Where there is clear evidence of improved health service delivery and outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders with such approaches (and it does not involve significant additional spending of taxpayers’ money), One Nation would support them. Where there is no such evidence, we would advocate abandoning the approach and allocating resources to effective models. Indeed, Senator Hanson is keen to scrutinise Indigenous-specific health funding and the organisations which receive it to deliver services to ensure taxpayers’ money is not being wasted on ineffective health approaches and models.
One Nation’s principle in this regard is equal rights for all, and special rights for none.
Improving health services in regional, rural and remote Queensland
The further away Queenslanders are from more densely populated areas in the south-east, fewer health services are available, accessible, or affordable. Depending on where they are, regional Queensland communities have their own unique
handing decision-making and budget allocation back to regional health authorities and country hospital boards, instead of keeping it centralised in Brisbane; investing in more telehealth facilities and technology to improve consultations in remote areas; investing in more preventative health care in regional, rural and remote Queensland to reduce incidences of lifestyle-related chronic conditions (such as diabetes and heart disease) prevalent in regional communities; restoring and revitalising run-down, neglected or closed regional facilities to provide essential health services; and eliminating the new tax on family general practitioners, which is driving more practices out of bulk-billed services.
Dedicated health services for key demographics
One Nation will act to provide specialist care for senior Queenslanders through the establishment of dedicated seniors’ hospitals (similar to dedicated children’s hospitals) specialising in seniors’ healthcare.
We are also committed to improving maternal health care, primarily through the expansion of obstetrics services in regional areas so mothers can deliver new babies safely and much closer to home.
One Nation’s Queensland health policy also includes specific commitments to reduce ambulance ramping, and to attract and retain more doctors and health practitioners in the state (with a particular emphasis on regional communities).
See: https://qld.onenation.org.au/health-policy
The Miles Government recognises the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples and is committed to creating a system of health care that is free of racism and where all people can enjoy long and healthy lives.
Of course, there is always more work to do, but it is important to celebrate where we have made progress:
Since 2005-2007 the life expectancy gap has reduced by a third for First Nations Queenslanders Queensland is very close to reaching the healthy birthweight target of 91 per cent achieving 89.2 percent in 2021-2022
The mortality rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants is 27.5 per cent lower than in 2010–2012.
This progress has been achieved because in 2020 the Miles Labor Government created the strongest health equity legislation ever enacted, not only in Queensland Health’s history but in the history of any public health system in the Country. This means Health and Hospital Services are required by law to collaborate with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health sector.
All 16 Hospital and Health Services worked with QAIHC and the Sector to develop and publicly release their inaugural First Nations Health Equity Strategies.
The First Nations First Strategy, released in May 2024, is the next stage of our journey to create an integrated health system in Queensland. It is the Miles Government’s commitment to seeing more of our First Nations peoples across the health system, listening to First Nations voices in the system, and supporting a more culturally capable, better integrated and coordinated system with First Nations peoples.
We are backing these strategies with investment.
And we are so pleased to say the 2024-25 Budget will include $324 million to accelerate efforts to address health inequities among First Nations Queenslanders. A budget that was co-designed with, and will benefit, QAIHC and the sector.
This includes:
$156.7 million to reshape the healthcare system to meet the needs of First Nations people, by supporting QAIHC, IUIH and increase the capacity and capability of the sector.
$145.6 million to empower the First Nations workforce to deliver flexible care across service boundaries, increasing the number of First Nations health care professionals, improving cultural competency, and coordinating care across different healthcare settings.
$20 million to transform care to address rheumatic heart disease with initiatives like the Healthy Housing program.
$2.4 million to ensure First Nations people will receive culturally capable health care.
This builds on Making Tracks Towards First Nations Health Equity Investment that delivered more than $214 million in targeted, evidence-based health services and programs to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations people in Queensland since 2022.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the oldest surviving cultures in the world and the Miles Government takes the responsibility seriously for ensuring that they can continue to thrive, right here, on their traditional homelands.
The community of St George in the Balonne Shire is celebrating a new specialised wellbeing facility for First Nations people.
Managed by Goondir Health Services, the St George Community Wellbeing Centre hosts more than 40 programs and activities to support the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the area.
Programs include youth engagement, cultural development, education on nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle, as well as female empowerment.
The facility has a yarning circle, separate men’s and women’s hairdressers, a coffee shop, gym, recreational facilities, café, food distribution and storage areas, cultural art spaces, meeting spaces and a community garden — to name a few.
The centre, a re-built former RSL club, is funded by several partnerships, including two grants from the Murray-Darling Basin Enterprise Program and a $2 million investment from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.
Goondir Health Services Chief Executive Officer Floyd Leedie said the idea for a wellbeing centre had been in the back of his mind for a long time.
The opportunity (to bring the project to life) really came when we heard that the old St George RSL was up for sale at a very reasonable price and considered it the ideal building in which to start our wellbeing centre initiative,” Mr Leedie said.
“With St George also being a Community of Interest to the government because of its location and the issues the town faces, we thought that we would have a better chance of getting the necessary funds needed to bring this project to fruition.”
An official opening ceremony was held on 10 April, which included a Welcome to Country and didgeridoo performance.
The building was officially opened by Maranoa MP and leader of the National Party, Hon. David Littleproud MP.
Mr Littleproud also officially launched the Wunna Yarn Wunna Cut Barbershop and announced the release of the Big Buddy Cookbook, Cooking Monsters.
Cooking Monsters was created through research conducted with the Big Buddy Program which seeks to empower “…Indigenous youth to achieve their full potential and thrive through Social Inclusion, Mentorship, Providing Life skills and Education (SIMPLE).”
Renae Earle, a University of Queensland PhD candidate placed with Health & Wellbeing Queensland, conducted her research around youth and nutrition and the cookbook was the result of her work.
Children involved in the Big Buddy Program were on hand to help with the catering for the event, in conjunction with the volunteer chefs at FareShare and supported by Foodbank.
Mr Leedie said having a wide range of services under one roof would hopefully prove beneficial for the community of St George.
“The Centre is a one-stop-shop which gives the people of St George a better chance of accessing the services, programs and activities that can help make their lives better: by addressing many issues around health and social determinants of health in the one spot,” he said.
It can become the gathering place for residents for social inclusion, as there is no other facility like it in St George.
“We even plan to bring new services, programs and activities to St George that don’t yet exist in the community.”
Mr Leedie said that although it was early days, many residents in St George had shown excitement for the new facility.
“I’ve been told, ‘we always wanted a space where us and our daughters and granddaughters can conduct women’s business and pamper ourselves in privacy’ and ‘we finally have a place to hold our celebrations.’”
Goondir Health Services is celebrating 30 years of supporting the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in South West Queensland.
The Aboriginal community controlled health organisation provides primary health and related services through its fixed clinics in Dalby, Chinchilla, Oakey and St George and a Mobile Medical Clinic to approximately 15 Communities of Interest across a 72,000sq km service region.
Goondir CEO Floyd Leedie said the organisation was established in April 1994, sparked by a need for good, quality, community-led care in the southwest.
The organisation’s vision then, and today, is to “improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to a standard at least equal to that
of the wider Australian community, by providing holistic health care and medical services that meet best practice standards”.
Goondir started out with about 30 staff and offices in St George, Dalby and Toowoomba, with Oakey and Chinchilla later added (in 2005, the Toowoomba office split off to form a new ACCHO, Carbal Medical Services).
Goondir CEO Floyd Leedie stated: “When I commenced, the organisation offered access to only about four allied health services, with one specialist in Dalby and dental services through the Goolburri Dental Services mobile services”.
Today, Goondir employs up to 80 staff and covers a service area of approximately 72,000sqkm servicing 4000 plus clients. There are now four specialists and 15 allied health services in the Dalby Clinic, but lessor numbers at the other 3 Clinics.
Mr Leedie said he was proud that Goondir had one of the largest dental services in rural and remote Australia, with five dental chairs in the Dalby clinic and four in St George through a crucial partnership agreement with the University of Queensland School of Dentistry, established in 2013.
He said Goondir’s partnership with the UQ School of Dentistry was a highlight for the organisation.
Although its core business activity involves the delivery of primary health care services, Goondir actively promotes intervention programs and educational programs that encourage and assist clients to self-manage their chronic conditions.
Goondir is also proud of its focus on innovation, including the use of telehealth and virtual health services and developing point of care testing. It also has a strong research agenda, with a current project focusing on predictive AI data modelling of hospitalisation risk for chronic disease patients.
Mr Leedie said Goondir’s vision for the future was to build a strong economic base, to insulate the organisation from changes in political leadership and/or decision-making.
Goondir plans to hold official 30th birthday celebrations in the third quarter of 2024.
The Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) community gathered to celebrate 40 years of community-controlled health services on the island on Friday 10 May.
Since the first clinic in Dunwich Hall on 19 January 1984, the range of services available to the island and southern bayside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has expanded to include dental, family wellbeing, Birthing in Our Community, Deadly Choices, women’s and men’s groups, youth program, and foster and kinship care support.
With advocacy and support from the Quandamooka people living on Minjerribah, the first clinic was provided as an outreach service by the Brisbane Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service. Starting with just one doctor and one nurse visiting the island one day per week, the service grew quickly and today is managed by the Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health.
Aunty Maureen Myers, one of the early advocates for a culturally safe community-controlled health service on the island, and current Director of the Yulu-Burri-Ba board,
is proud of the vision, commitment and hard work of everyone involved, and the positive impact for community.
“It was built to give better health outcomes for our people who couldn’t afford to go to the doctor. Now we have easy access to healthcare services like we never had before”, Ms Myers said.
“When you feel comfortable with going to a doctor you get the healthcare you need. Because it is community-controlled it meets the needs of the community.”
Yulu-Burri-Ba CEO David Collins said the milestone was an opportunity to reflect on and acknowledge the leadership of Elders and what can be achieved through working together.
Today shows how successful our communitycontrolled health services have been. Thanks to the hard work from all the people in the beginning, like Lynette Shipway, Maureen Myers, Oodgeroo Noonuccal and Denis Walker who fought for better health services for this community.
“Our founding Elders saw that there was a need for these services, and they have been proven correct with the growth of health and welfare services we’re now providing to more than 5,000 community members in our region.
“When it first started, it was with volunteers and support from Brisbane AICHS (now ATSICHS). And then along the way, from our community—from our fellow Aboriginal Medical Services, the Australian and Queensland Governments, and the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health.
“It’s about better health outcomes for our community, people don’t have to travel long distances for allied health services, don’t have a long wait time for allied health services, better access to specialist health services, easy access to dental,” Mr Collins said.
Yulu-Burri-Ba now operates clinics and a wide range of services in Dunwich, Capalaba and Wynnum in response to community goals.
avidCollins , CEO , Yulu-Burri-Ba
1984
1988–1990
1992
First clinic at Dunwich Hall, outreach service by Brisbane AICHS.
Health service moved to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Cooperative premises, with six staff.
Property purchased in Dunwich with National Aboriginal Health Strategy funds, 11 staff.
1993–1994 Health service moved to self-management, Yulu-Burri-Ba became incorporated.
2011 Yulu-Burri-Ba opened a clinic in Capalaba.
2015
Dental services commenced at both Dunwich and Capalaba clinics.
2016 Yulu-Burri-Ba opened a clinic in Wynnum.
2017
2020
2022
Family Services established to include family wellbeing, social health, counselling, psychology, paediatric health.
Jajum Bajara, Birthing in Our Community, in collaboration with Redland Hospital and IUIH.
Family Services expands in Capalaba, Youth Program commences on North Stradbroke Island.
2023
Foster and Kinship Care Program established, Deadly Choices more locally integrated.
The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) is pleased to announce two recent appointments at the executive leadership level.
IUIH has appointed Jacklyn Whybrow as the Executive Director of SEQ Regional and Specialist Services. She brings significant experience in health service management across public and not-for-profit healthcare, with a clinical background in social and mental health.
She is a social worker by professional background and has held senior roles at Neami National, Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, Aftercare and Queensland Health.
Services under Ms Whybrow’s leadership will include the allied health, oral health, disability services, paediatrics, early childhood and rehabilitation
teams delivered by IUIH through the network of ACCHOs in South East Queensland.
Kristie Watego, a proud Bundjalung woman, has been appointed Executive Director of Moreton ATSICHS.
She has led IUIH’s Birthing in Our Community (BiOC) program for nearly eight years and prior to that, she had significant corporate experience at Telstra. Under her leadership, BiOC expanded its Hubs to Caboolture, Strathpine, Logan, and the Bayside suburbs of Brisbane and the program has been acclaimed by Community, the media and prestigious academic journals, including The Lancet.
North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health (NCACCH) is celebrating the 20-year milestone anniversaries of two employees.
Aunty Lyndelle Beezley, who is currently employed as a Senior Administration Officer, completed 20 years in January 2024. She said it was always important to “maintain a positive attitude” in the workplace.
“Never hesitate to ask questions; that will always assist in our own growth,” she said. “We must always want to make life better for others, not bitter.”
NCACCH CEO Sharelle Eggmolesse completed 20 years in February 2024.
She said she was in the ACCHO sector for one reason — “community”.
Both women bring valuable skills and experience to the IUIH executive team, and a proven commitment to improving health services and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“It’s always been community. I am in this position now but what else will I be doing that I value and am passionate about? It’s about giving back to our community.”
Sharelle has a deep commitment
to community service, activities that align with her values and passions. She emphasised the importance of having the right intentions, even when unable to please everyone, and staying open to new experiences within the organisation.
NCACCH’s Board and staff congratulated the duo on their 20 years of dedication.
“May your continued passion and commitment inspire us all.”
Bidgerdii Community Health Service is improving access to healthcare for mob in Central Queensland with the opening of two new clinics in Mt Morgan (Gaangalu Country) and Blackwater (Ghungalu Country).
Bidgerdii CEO Marissa Smith said she was proud to see enhanced access to primary healthcare services and improved health outcomes for clients living in the Mount Morgan and Central Highlands communities.
As the resident numbers and demand have increased, access to securing regional healthcare professionals and services has been challenging for Community,” she said.
The Mount Morgan Clinic is centrally located in the main street at 63 Morgan Street. The upgrades provide a bright and spacious waiting room, an additional consultation room plus larger treatment room to facilitate a nurse practitioner.
There is enhanced accessibility with additional handicapped parking and greater access to online specialists and services via upgraded telehealth facilities.
The previous clinic location is being repurposed to facilitate the Bidgerdii Wellness Hub. The team will provide allied health services for community including access to social and emotional wellness services, Elder care and NDIS Connector Support, in addition the Integrated Care Team (ICT) will be providing chronic disease management assistance.
Additionally, Bidgerdii has re-established its presence within the Central Highlands, with its new Blackwater clinic opening at 2 Seeman St (Ghungalu Country).
The team has been providing a selection of allied health services via referral from Blackwater Hospital since March 2024. Medical service delivery, together with specialist ICT allied health clinics, and a preventative health project targeting acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, are set to provide our community members with much needed access to vital health care services currently lacking due to overwhelming demand.
Kambu Health is pleased to expand its health service offering for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents with the opening of a new clinic in the centre of Ipswich.
Members of the Ipswich community and the health sector attended the grand opening of the new site at 3 Wharf Street in May.
The Wharf Street clinic is the new location for Kambu’s Family Participation Program, Youth Mentoring Program, and Our Families Our Way Program.
The opening celebrations included a smoking ceremony and the traditional dances performed by the deadly Yugara Dance Troupe and the Mabuyag Dance Troupe.
Palm Island Community Company (PICC) in North Queensland has received grant funding to provide increased rental and accommodation assistance to domestic and family violence victim-survivors across Queensland.
PICC was one of 57 Queensland community organisations that received grants as part of the Queensland Government’s Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Rent Assist Brokerage Grants program.
Each organisation received grants of $45,000 to further assist victim-survivors secure or maintain their accommodation, specifically assisting those most at risk of homelessness due to violence.
Assisted services can include providing rental assistance, addressing past rental debts that could affect future rental applications, addressing repair costs for rental properties damaged by DFV and covering rental arrears to prevent homelessness.
Importantly, service providers have flexibility in the allocation of funding, according to a client’s requirements and specific needs, such as acquiring essential household appliances.
The grant program forms part of a suite of initiatives delivered in Queensland that are funded through the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-27 National Partnership.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath said: “Tragically, DFV remains the leading cause of homelessness for women across Australia.”
Our task is to ensure specialist DFV support services in our communities continue to have the funding and support to undertake their effective work and provide safe and ongoing housing options for those in crisis.”
Author: Julie Janson (Magabala Books)
Author: Ashlee Donohue (Magabala Books)
From the acclaimed author Julie Janson, Compassion continues the emotional and intense literary exploration of the complex and dangerous lives of Aboriginal women during the 1800s in colonial New South Wales, which Julie began in Benevolence as a counter narrative to colonial history in Australian literature.
More information: magabala.com.au/products/compassion
Eddie’s Lil’ Homies
Writter: Eddie Betts (Netflix)
Written by AFL legend Eddie Betts and voiced by Hunter Page-Lochard and Miah Madden, this children’s animated series follows eight-year-old Eddie and his two best friends, Lottie and Tal, as they navigate the complex and often fantastical waters of childhood.
More information: eddieslilhomies.com
Hosts: Matika Little and Courtney Hagen (I Heart Radio )
Coming Out, Blak focuses on supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community within Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander communities by sharing diverse stories and experiences, and encouraging engagement through its platform and social media.
More information: iheart.com/podcast/239-coming-out-blak128304652
Because I Love Him by Ashlee Donohue is a memoir of privileged insight into strong family ties, the intricacies of relationships and the unspoken expectations within urban Aboriginal communities. This is a very personal account of love, loss, addiction, motherhood and domestic violence. Ashlee chronicles the profound impact of life on the margins.
More information: magabala.com.au/products/because-i-love-him
Artist: Jessica Mauboy (Warner Music Australia)
Yours Forever represents a significant chapter in Jessica Mauboy’s musical career, showcasing her comfort in expressing her true self. This album features a blend of heartfelt ballads and upbeat tracks that explore themes of love, resilience, and personal growth.
More information: store.warnermusic.com.au/collections/ jessica-mauboy
Host: Rudi Bremer (ABC)
Rudi Bremer presents the diverse languages of black Australia from Anmatyerre to Arrernte, from Bidjara to Bundjalung, from Nyungar to Ngaanyatjarra, from Yankunytjatjara to Yorta Yorta — one word at a time.
More information: abc.net.au/listen/programs/wordup
Noeleen Selke Far North Queensland Director
Dorothy Smith North and North West Queensland Director
Members
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Matthew Cooke Chairperson
Stevan Ober Central Queensland Director
Rachel Atkinson Deputy Chairperson
Sheryl Lawton South and South West Director
David Collins South East Queensland Director
Adrian Carson Independent Director
Community Health Service Brisbane
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Mackay
Apunipima Cape York Health Council
Bidgerdii Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service
Carbal Medical Services
Charleville and Western Areas
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Limited
Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Service
Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health
Galangoor Duwalami Primary Healthcare Service
Gidgee Healing
Gindaja Treatment and Healing
Indigenous Corporation
Girudala Community Co-Operative Society Limited
Gladstone Region Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Service t/a
Nhulundu Health Service
Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Co Limited
Goondir Health Services
Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Injilinji Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Children and Youth Services
Kalwun Health Service
Kambu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health
Mamu Health Service Limited
Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan
Mudth-Niyleta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation
Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation
Primary Health Care Service
North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health
NPA Family and Community Services
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation
Palm Island Community Company
Torres Health Indigenous Corporation
Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services
Wuchopperen Health Service Limited
Yoonthalla Services Pty Ltd
Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health
Regional Members Institute for Urban Indigenous Health
Northern Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Alliance