Tuesday, 30 May 2023

Ministers statements: First Nations health care

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Medical Research) (14:25): This reconciliation week I rise to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of First Nations Victorians, including of course Aboriginal women and families. We know that Aboriginal Victorians continue to experience poorer health and face ongoing barriers to accessing culturally safe care, but in partnership with our Victorian Aboriginal health services we are changing that. We are committed to keeping Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands, and we are backing in our commitment with more investment in services, real supports and meaningful reform.

As part of our $153 million women’s health package we are delivering a dedicated Aboriginal-led women’s health clinic, and we will work closely with our Aboriginal health partners to ensure that this is a service designed by Aboriginal women for Aboriginal women. We will also deliver the state’s first dedicated Aboriginal early parenting centre and build cultural safety into the foundation of all of our EPCs and our women’s health clinics. To ensure the voices of Victorian women, including Aboriginal women, are embedded in our work, we are creating Victoria’s first women’s health advisory council. This is just a small part of all the work that is underway.

Just last week I joined our Aboriginal community health partners to sign the Aboriginal health and wellbeing agreement. This represents a significant change in the way in which we deliver health care here in Victoria. We also launched the Victorian Aboriginal Cancer Journey Strategy and affirmed the Victorian Aboriginal Health, Medical, and Wellbeing Research Accord, each a pivotal step towards true self-determination and health equity in our state. Real change takes real leadership, and when it comes to working hand in hand with our First Nations people, only an Andrews Labor government will deliver.