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IPS 060/2003
- Publisher
- Springer Journals
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2004 by Anderson; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
- Subject
- Medicine & Public Health; Public Health; Social Policy
- eISSN
- 1743-8462
- DOI
- 10.1186/1743-8462-1-3
- Publisher site
- See Article on Publisher Site
Abstract
In this paper I will describe some of the sentinel events in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy and strategy during 2003 and the early part of 2004. This will involve discussion on the: • National Strategic Framework in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health • National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Mental Health and Social and Emotional Well Being 2004–2009 • National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework • The roll-out of the Primary Health Care Access Program • The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey and the National Indigenous Health Survey These developments are consistent with a policy agenda that has evolved, in general terms, since the release of the National Aboriginal Health Strategy in 1989. However, I will also consider significant developments in the broader context for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, particularly the decision made in early 2004 by the Howard government to abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). While the key events and developments that are reported in this paper elaborate on an agenda that has been developing for more than a decade, the decision to abolish ATSIC is likely to have a revolutionary impact on the future development of Aboriginal health strategy. Introduction Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). Since that Following the lead of the National Aboriginal Health time, mechanisms have been established that provide a Strategy (NAHS) [1], national strategy in this field has platform for collaborative, inter-governmental planning, focussed on health sector reform and the development of engaging with both the Aboriginal community sector and inter-sectoral strategies to improve Indigenous health out- the non-health sectors of government [2-4]. The key ele- comes. In 1995, the health portfolio assumed responsibil- ments of this national planning framework include: ity for the management of the Australian government's Aboriginal health program from the Aboriginal and Page 1 of 7 (page number not for citation purposes) Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2004, 1:3 http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/1/1/3 • Framework Agreements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait lution of a health reform agenda that has been developing Islander Health (multi-party agreements between the Aus- for more than a decade, the abolition of ATSIC points to tralian government; State and Territory governments; the a much more revolutionary change in the broader institu- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and the tional and programmatic context for Aboriginal affairs. Aboriginal community controlled health sector); ATSIC had play a critical role in integrating Australian government programs in Indigenous affairs and providing Joint Planning Forums (established at a jurisdictional an institutional structure that facilitated Aboriginal and level with responsibility for the developing State and Torres Strait Islander input into policy and program devel- regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health opment. ATSIC, for instance, continued to play a role in plans). health strategy following the transfer of specific health program responsibilities in 1995. It retained, for instance, The NAHS has been the guiding framework for action in responsibility for the delivery of environmental health this field since it was endorsed in 1989. Consequently, it service. A memorandum of understanding was developed was significant that the Australian Health Ministers Con- between the Department of Health and Human Services st of July 2003, the ference endorsed its successor on the 31 and ATSIC to support collaboration between the sectors "National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres [6]. Consequently, the decision to abolish the ATSIC and Strait Islander Health" (hereafter, the "National Frame- radically overhaul of the administration of Common- work"). Agreement has also been recently brokered that wealth programs in Aboriginal Affairs has potential impli- details strategies for Indigenous social and emotional cations for national health strategy. These are discussed well-being, which is one of the Key Result Areas for the later in this paper. "National Framework". Significant progress has also been made in the development of a national performance man- Discussion National Strategic Framework in Aboriginal and Torres agement framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health that aligns with the "National Frame- Strait Islander Health work". The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council (NATSIHC) oversaw the development of the The agenda in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health "National Framework". However, this process was stalled strategy that was adopted by the health portfolio post by political conflict between the key stakeholders. In 1995 had focussed on reform priorities focussed on the December 2000, Council members representing the development of [3]: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) resigned in protest over a con- The capacity of primary health services to respond to sultation draft of the 'National Framework'. NACCHO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health need (with a which is the peak body representing the Aboriginal com- particular focus on financing and workforce); munity controlled health sector, was concerned with [7]: disease and risk strategies that aimed to improve Aborig- The way the Draft is written distances Aboriginal and Torres inal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes; Strait Islander people, undermines the concept of Aboriginal community control of primary health care service delivery and the evidence base for policy and practice in this sector diminished structures which NACCHO believe are still useful. (through strategic research and improvements in the qual- The document's tone and language is wrong in a number of ity of health and related data). ways... With respect to primary care capacity, the roll-out of the Following further negotiation, NACCHO withdrew its res- Primary Health Care Access Program (PHCAP) continues ignation, and the NATISHC was reconstituted with revised to be one of the central planks of this agenda and I will membership and Terms of Reference [8]. Despite this suc- provide an overview of recent progress. Significant cessful outcome, this ruction in the relationship with progress has also been made over the last couple of years NACCHO illustrates the tenuous nature of partnership in the development of the Australian Bureau of Statistics structures and processes in this sector – an issue that I will Indigenous Survey program, which promises to enhance return when discussing the issues that may potentially the information available to assist decision-making flow on following the abolition of ATSIC. within the sector. I will provide a report on the recent developments in the roll-out of this program. The agreed "National Framework" consists of two docu- ments: While the recent developments in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy and strategy represent an evo- Page 2 of 7 (page number not for citation purposes) Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2004, 1:3 http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/1/1/3 The "National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and The "National Framework" was endorsed as a plan to Torres Strait Islander Health – Framework for action by guide all Australian governments in a coordinated, collab- Governments", which sets out a five- to ten-year reform orative and multi-sectoral approach to achieving Aborigi- agenda in 9 key result areas [5]. nal and Torres Strait Islander health gain over the next decade. It does not have a specific funding program The "National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and attached to its implementation, although arguably, the Torres Strait Islander Health – Context", which outlines roll-out of the Primary Health Care Access Program the rationale for the Framework and its context [9]. (described later) will provide additional capacity to the implementation of the "National Framework". It is also There are nine Key Result Areas set out in the Framework possible that the National Framework will guide the allo- including [5]: cation of any new resources made available through the joint planning processes established under the Frame- Community controlled primary health care: building work Agreements. community capacity so that individuals and communities can better address and manage their own health needs. To further these ends, it is significant that the "National Framework" was endorsed through each government's Health system delivery framework: improving the cabinet process, providing a whole-of-government com- responsiveness of the mainstream health system to Indig- mitment to its implementation in each State and Territory enous Australians and developing stronger partnerships and at the Commonwealth level. Each jurisdiction is between mainstream and Indigenous-specific services. developing its implementation plan against which it will report annually on progress and outcomes in health port- A competent health workforce: improving the training, folios and biennially on whole of government progress. supply, recruitment and retention of appropriately skilled The plans will identify the specific strategies and time- health professionals, health service managers and policy frames for each action area. The National Aboriginal and officers in both mainstream and Indigenous-specific Torres Strait Islander Health Council will develop a plan health services. for an independent mid-term and final evaluation. Emotional and social well-being: improving outcomes The National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and with respect to mental health, suicide, family violence, Torres Strait Islander Peoples Mental Health and Social substance misuse and male health (through non-health and Emotional Well Being 2004–2009 sectors strategies). The "Social and Emotional Well Being Framework (SEWB Framework)" [10] is based on Aboriginal health values Environmental health: improving the delivery of safe that emphasise the need for a holistic and 'whole of life' housing, water, sewerage and waste disposal. approach to achieving the conditions for well-being. Although this framework encompasses the traditional Wider strategies that impact on health: undertaking field of mental health, these issues are situated in an action in portfolios outside the health sector and imple- approach that also addresses the emotional and social menting health gain strategies in the areas of education, well-being of Indigenous Australians and their communi- employment transport, food and nutrition, custodial ties. health, aged and disability services, recreation and exer- cise. The nine guiding principles for the "SEWB Framework" were been extracted from "Ways Forward" [11], an earlier Data, research and evidence: aiming to improve the strategy that established the importance of this holistic quality of information about how well the health sector is approach in this area of health. In supporting this holistic meeting the needs of Indigenous Australians. approach the "SEWB Framework" articulates strategies that support self-determination and culturally valid Resources and finance: aiming to provide an optimal understandings of health. It further recognises the impact level of resources for Indigenous health commensurate of trauma, grief, loss, discrimination and human rights with levels of need, costs of delivering services and com- issues on the social and emotional well being of Aborigi- munity capacity to deliver health outcomes. nal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Accountability: both to communities and to govern- In 2003 the Social Health Reference Group (SHRG) ments for the delivery and effectiveness of health services. (established to oversee its development) conducted exten- sive consultations on a draft framework document. Since then the 'SEWB Framework' has endorsed by the NAT- Page 3 of 7 (page number not for citation purposes) Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2004, 1:3 http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/1/1/3 SIHC and the National Mental Health Working Group in Roll-out of the Primary Health Care Access Program November 2003, and the Standing Committee on Aborig- The Primary Health Care Access Program (PHCAP) was inal and Torres Strait Islander Health in December 2003. introduced in the 1999–2000 Federal Budget to improve It was anticipated that the final 'SEWB Framework' docu- access to primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres ment would be endorsed out of session by the Australian Strait Islander people. PHCAP achieves this by funding Health Ministers Advisory Council by the middle of 2004. increased primary health care provision, such as addi- tional general practitioners, nurses, Aboriginal Health The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers, and through preventive and health promotional Performance Framework activities, such as diabetes education and management. The development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Funds are also used for supports to service provision such Islander Health Performance Framework has built on the as capital works and equipment. The program also aims to foundations of earlier work which has established the key work with existing health services to ensure they are elements of this framework, including the: responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. national performance indicators in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health for the Australian Health On average across Australia, PHCAP aims to bring the Ministers Advisory Council [3]; level of Commonwealth funding for Indigenous primary health care to three times the average MBS usage for all service activity reporting for Aboriginal community con- Australians. The key objectives of PHCAP are [3]: trolled health services [12]; Increased availability of appropriate primary health care Australian government health portfolio indicators [13]; services where they are currently inadequate; and Local health systems that better meet the needs of Abo- the reporting against key indicators of Aboriginal and riginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage for the Council of Aus- tralian Governments [14]. Individuals and communities that are empowered to take greater responsibility for their own health. It is intended that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework will both integrate those Services can be provided through a mix of arrangements, government performance reporting processes that have including Indigenous specific, mainstream or a combina- already been developed; streamline reporting processes in tion of these. Funding can also be used to support mech- Indigenous health and, ensure the strategic management anisms to assist service providers to deliver better services of policy relevant and quality information in published and enable individuals and communities to become more reports (such as the National Health Performance Com- involved in improving their health. mittee, the Productivity Commission's Report of Govern- ment Services and the Indigenous Disadvantage Report) Up until March 2004, new and additional services have [15]. As starting point, the National Health Performance been funded in Central Australia (5 regions), Queensland Committee Framework, which has already been endorsed (3 regions) and South Australia (4 regions) through by the Australian Health Ministers Conference will be PHCAP, as well as continued funding of services provided used as a guide to the relevant measurement domains for through the former Aboriginal Coordinated Care Trials Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific framework (Yael Cass, Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander [15]. It is also intended that the Aboriginal and Torres Health, Australian Department of Health and Ageing, per- Strait Islander Health Performance Framework will sup- sonal communication). port the implementation of the 'National Framework' by: During 2003 a more streamlined approach to the manage- mapping the relationship between the Key Result areas ment of PHCAP rollout was developed [4,16], resulting in of the 'National Framework' and key domains of health more than 200 proposals to improve access to primary performance (effectiveness, safety, responsiveness etc); care being developed in each state and territory. This was and in discussions with members of the state or territory forum or partnership, and drawing on regional plans and identifying priorities for data development and other work that has been undertaken over the last several improvement based on priorities of the 'National Frame- years. work'. Page 4 of 7 (page number not for citation purposes) Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2004, 1:3 http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/1/1/3 From these proposals, $11.8 million in funding was provide information on mental health. It is anticipated approved on 14 March 2004 for: that the data collected will be reported in 2005. additional health professional and support staff, for In parallel with the health survey program the Australian example, over 20 more health professional positions in Bureau of Statistics collected data for the 2002 National the Kimberley region of WA; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey from August 2002 to April 2003 [18]. It is planned to repeat this capital works for health clinic upgrades and the con- survey a six yearly intervals. A summary of findings has struction of staff housing in remote communities; been published that covers topics such as family and cul- ture, health, education work, income and housing law minor capital purchases such as medical equipment; and just and transport. and A revolution in program administration in Aboriginal one-off health promotional activities and health board Affairs On 20 April 2004, the Prime Minister, John Howard and support and training. the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Senator Amanda Van- Longer term strategies around enhancement of local serv- stone, announced the intention of the Australian govern- ice systems, to ensure they are more accessible for Aborig- ment to abolish the ATSIC. inal and Torres Strait Islander people, and ensuring the commitment by state/territory governments to at least ATSIC had been established in 1989 when the program maintain their funding commitments, will continue to be responsibilities of the Commonwealth Department of pursued. While the PHCAP program has provided a signif- Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Development Cor- icant injection of resources into what is generally consid- poration were merged into a structure that enable the ered an inadequately funded primary heath care system, regional allocation of resources through elected regional the amount made available through this program still councils. The board of Commissioners, elected by ATSIC does not meet its programmatic benchmarks and targets regional councils, was responsible for national policy [4]. development and the oversight of national programs. At the Commonwealth level, ATSIC had the lead agency Roll-out of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Indigenous responsible for the administration of a range of programs Survey Program such as: community development and employment One of the development priorities established by the (CDEP); housing and infrastructure; cultural heritage, heath portfolio when it took responsibility for the admin- broadcasting services; legal services; native title, land istration of the Aboriginal health program was to develop rights and the Indigenous land fund, etc. the evidence base to support policy reform and the devel- opment of health service capacity [3]. The agency also played a critical role in co-ordinating and integrating the Aboriginal strategy across the different The National Health Survey, undertaken by the Australian government program areas. ATSIC and the health portfo- Bureau of Statistics with funding support from the Aus- lio had collaborated in the implementation of health tralian Department of Health and Ageing, collects infor- infrastructure priority projects [19]. The Memorandum of mation about the health status, use of health services and Understanding developed between the two portfolios facilities, socio-economic status and health-related enabled collaborative planning across a range of pro- aspects of the lifestyle of Australians. The Indigenous grams that impacted on Indigenous health outcomes. The component of this survey aims to benchmark information advantage of this institutional arrangement for cross sec- on a range of health issues and enable comparisons toral strategy is that these programs might otherwise have between the health characteristics of Indigenous and non- been dispersed across a number of different government Indigenous Australians and to allow trends in the health departments or instrumentalities. Further, ATSIC provide of Indigenous Australians to be monitored over time. a structure for engaging Indigenous participation that broader than the sector specific mechanisms. The Indigenous Health Survey that was run in 2001, col- lected data from approximately 3,500 individuals which ATSIC played a pivotal institutional role in the develop- was reportable at the national level [17]. In 2004, the ment of 'whole of government' strategies across the Aus- Indigenous Health Survey will collect information from tralian government. It was in effect the only institutional 11,000 Indigenous participants in order to be able to pro- mechanism (with the exception of time limited inter- vide statistics at the national and State/Territory levels, departmental committees) that enabled this. This was and some geographical areas. It will also, for the first time, until the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Page 5 of 7 (page number not for citation purposes) Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2004, 1:3 http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/1/1/3 resolved (in 2000 and 2002) to trial, in up to 10 regions Secretaries group: which would support Ministerial deci- across the country, innovative administrative arrange- sion-making, coordinate across government agencies, and ments, developed in partnership with Indigenous com- oversight annual reporting. munities, which aimed to provide "more flexible programs and services based on priorities agreed with National Indigenous Council: in which the Minister communities" [20]. would appointment Indigenous leaders in health, educa- tion, employment, law and justice to provide advice and From its first term in 1996, the Howard Coalition govern- monitor performance. ment had a conflictual relationship with the Commission. However, government confidence in the ATSIC Board The proposed mechanisms and structures that would be deteriorated significantly under the chairmanship of established to deliver this 'joined-up' framework includ- Geoff Clark (first elected chairperson in 1999) to the ing regional partnership agreements and community extent that the Minister for Indigenous Affairs suspended shared responsibility agreements (detailing mutual obli- him on the ground of misbehaviour (under section 40 of gations). It is also proposed to establish Indigenous co- the ATSIC Act 1989) [21]. A review of ATSIC was under- ordination centres which will provide a single shopfront taken during the period December 2002–October 2003. It in regional and remote Australia for indigenous specific recommended that ATSIC should be retained as the pri- programs, lead the negotiation of regional partnerships an mary vehicle for representing the aspirations of Aboriginal shared responsibility agreements but maintain line people to all levels of government and that its existing responsibility to mainstream departments. program responsibilities should also be retained pending a determination of its role in the context of [a] broader The impact of this radical reform agenda to national Abo- examination of service delivery [22]. The review also rec- riginal health strategy is difficult to predict. One the one ommended a comprehensive program of reform prima- hand the actual changes to the administration of the rily focussed at strengthening the capacity of regional health program is insignificant (leaving aside some poten- councils and improving the relationships between ATSIC tially critical issues in budget development). A main- and the Australian government and between ATSIC's stream department has administered this program since elected and administrative arms. Prior to the completion 1995. One the other hand, the implementation of this of the review the Coalition government moved to struc- reform agenda could have potentially very significant con- turally separate ATSIC into an elected arm (ATSIC) and an sequences for the development of inter-sectoral strategies executive agency, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in Indigenous health. This depends on the success in Services (ATSIS). ATSIS retained, under Ministerial delega- implementing the new mechanisms, and on their effec- tion, program administrative responsibilities. tiveness. Furthermore, the political consequences of this radical agenda on the relationship between the Australian The Federal cabinet, nevertheless, resolved to a more rad- government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ical agenda than outlined in the review findings, and peoples have yet to really become clear. Specific partner- announced its intention to abolish ATSIC, its regional ship arrangements that have been developed within the councils and the mainstreaming of the administration of health sector are tenuous – as is evident by the politics in all the programs for which ATSIC had been responsible. It the development of the "National Framework". These is proposed that the elected advisory structures will be partnerships are critical to successful implementation of replaced by a government appointed national council. It strategy in Indigenous health. Consequently, deteriora- is also proposed that Indigenous specific program dollars tion in the broader relationship between Indigenous Aus- will be quarantined and a whole of government approach tralians and the Australian government may have is to be developed for the delivery of Indigenous specific significant negative consequences for the partnership funding. The key elements of this reform package have processes specific to the health sector. Even though 2003 been positioned within the broader context of a govern- was a year in which policy and strategy in Indigenous ment commitment to reforms aimed at producing health made no or new radical departures, it was a year of "'joined up' government and the 'seamless' delivery of considerable tumult in relations between the Australian programmes" [23]. This new framework for Indigenous government and Indigenous peoples. The ramifications of policy and program administration also include the estab- this are only now beginning to unfold. lishment of a: Abbreviations Ministerial Taskforce: which would operate as a cabinet ATSIC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission committee, provide collaborative leadership at a govern- ment level and set strategic directions. NAHS National Aboriginal Health Strategy Page 6 of 7 (page number not for citation purposes) Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2004, 1:3 http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/1/1/3 11. Swan P, Raphael B: Ways forward: national consultancy report NATSICH National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health. Can- Health Council berra: Australian Government Publishing Service; 1995. 12. Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and National Abo- riginal Community Controlled Health Organisation: Service activity NACCHO National Aboriginal Community Controlled reporting 1998–1999 key results. Canberra: Commonwealth Health Organisation Department of Health and Ageing; 2001. 13. Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing: Department of Health and Ageing annual report 2001–2002. Canberra: Com- PHCAP Primary Health Care Access Program monwealth Department of Health and Ageing; 2002. 14. Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (SCRGSP): Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: key indica- Competing interests tors 2003. Canberra: Productivity Commission; 2003. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 15. Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Policy con- text developing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health performance framework. Canberra: Australian Depart- Acknowledgments ment of Health and Ageing; 2003. [unpub. paper] Core funding for the VicHealth Koori Health Research and Community 16. Australian Department of Health and Ageing: 2004–05 portfolio Development Unit is provided by the Victorian Health Promotion Founda- budget statement. In Budget related paper no. 1.11 Canberra:Com- monwealth of Australia; 2004. tion and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. The author 17. Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Institute of Health would like to express his thanks particularly to Elizabeth Harding from the and Welfare: The health and welfare of Australia's Aboriginal Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health who provided an ini- and Torres Strait Islander peoples 2003. Canberra Common- tial briefing on key events during the last 12 months and assisted the author wealth of Australia; 2003. in accessing key documents. The author would also like to express his 18. Australian Bureau of Statistics: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social survey 2002. Canberra: Commonwealth of thanks to those key informants who reviewed a draft of this paper. The Australia; 2004. opinions expressed in this paper are the responsibility of the author alone. 19. Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services: 'Sub- mission from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services to the House of Representatives Stand- References ing Committee on Family and Community Affairs Inquiry 1. National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Party: A national into Indigenous Health'. In in Inquiry into Indigenous health, submis- Aboriginal health strategy. Canberra: National Aboriginal Health sions authorised for publication, national organisations Volume 1. Can- Strategy Working Party; 1989. berra: House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and 2. Australian National Audit Office: The Aboriginal and Torres Community Affairs; 1997:215-316. Strait Islander health program, Commonwealth Depart- 20. Management Advisory Committee: Connecting government, ment of Health and Aged Care. In Audit Report No. 13a Canberra: whole of government responses to Australia's priority chal- Australian National Audit Office; 1998. lenge. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2004. 3. Anderson I: National strategy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait 21. Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Indigenous Affairs: Islander health: a framework for health gain? In Discussion Suspension of Mr Geoff Clark as ATSIC Commissioner paper no. 6 Melbourne: VicHealth Koori Health Research and Com- [press release]. In IPS 060/2003 Canberra: Australian Government; munity Development Unit, University of Melbourne; 2002. 4. Dwyer J, Silburn K, Wilson G: National strategies for improving 22. Hannaford J, Huggins J, Collins B: In the hands of the regions – a Indigenous health and health care, consultant report no 1 for new ATSIC, report of the review of the Aboriginal and the review of the Australian Government's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. Canberra: Commonwealth Torres Strait Islander primary health care program. Can- of Australia; 2003. berra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2004. 23. Shergold P: Connecting government. Canberra: Department of 5. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council: Prime Minister and Cabinet. 20 April 2004 National strategic framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health – framework for action by govern- ments. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2003. 6. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission & Commonwealth Department of Health and Human Services: Memorandum of understanding between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). Canberra 1995. 7. National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO): Peak Aboriginal health body pulls out of govern- ment advisory group in protest [press release]. NACCHO AGM . 8 December 2000 8. Australian Department of Health and Aged Care: Annual report 2000–2001, part 2 outcome reports (Outcome 7: Aboriginal Publish with Bio Med Central and every and Torres Strait Islander health). [http://www.health.gov.au/ scientist can read your work free of charge pubs/annrep/ar2001/part2/02_0115.htm]. publication content last "BioMed Central will be the most significant development for modified 26 November 2001, page last modified 1 February 2002, access date: 10 May 2004 disseminating the results of biomedical researc h in our lifetime." 9. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council: Sir Paul Nurse, Cancer Research UK National strategic framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health – context. Canberra: Commonwealth of Your research papers will be: Australia; 2003. available free of charge to the entire biomedical community 10. Department of Health and Ageing: Social and emotional well being framework, a national strategic framework for Aborig- peer reviewed and published immediately upon acceptance inal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and social and cited in PubMed and archived on PubMed Central emotional well being (2004–2009) [draft]. Canberra: Australian yours — you keep the copyright Government; 2004. BioMedcentral Submit your manuscript here: http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/publishing_adv.asp Page 7 of 7 (page number not for citation purposes)
Journal
Australia and New Zealand Health Policy – Springer Journals
Published: Nov 18, 2004