Mary GuthrieGeneral Manager – Policy

The Lowitja Institute

The Lowitja Institute - Australia’s National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research

A research body that brings together Aboriginal organisations, academic institutions and government agencies to facilitate collaborative, evidence-based research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

(Acknowledgement: Artist Robert Hannaford)

Health system coalition for constitutional recognition –

A Lowitja Institute initiative

“The right thing to do”

Kim O’Donnell – Co-ordinator Judith Dwyer – LeaderMary Guthrie - Leader

Main law that guides how the Commonwealth Government of Australia operates Written more than a century ago Does not recognise Aboriginal people as the First Peoples of Australia nor

acknowledge our country’s continuing first cultures (the world’s oldest) Allows race-based discriminatory laws (Section 51 (xxvi)) and says the States

could still legally prevent people from voting based on race (Section 25) Exclusion from C’wealth attention and census were reversed in 1967 referendum

The links: social determinants

Or as Noel Pearson put it:Elimination of racial discrimination is inherently related to Indigenous recognition because Indigenous people in Australia, more than any other group, suffered much racial discrimination in the past. So extreme was the discrimination against Indigenous people, it initially even denied that we existed. Hence, Indigenous Australians were not recognised. Then, Indigenous people were explicitly excluded in our Constitution. Still today, we are subject to racially targeted laws with no requirement that such laws be beneficial, and no prohibition against adverse discrimination. Noel Pearson, A letter to the Australian people, 2012

We call on all Australians to support recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution.

We look forward to a time when all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people can fully participate in all that Australia has to offer, enjoying respect for our country’s first cultures and leadership, and the dignity and benefits of long healthy lives.

Australia’s First Peoples continue to die far earlier and experience a higher burden of disease and disability than other Australians. This is a result of long term economic disadvantage and social exclusion, among other factors. Constitutional recognition would provide a strong foundation for working together towards better health and social wellbeing in the hearts, minds and lives of all Australians.

The Statement

A referendum to recognise Australia’s First Peoples

• 2010 - Broad Gov’t, Opposition, minor party support• Expert Panel appointed• Abbott Gov’t - Joint Select Committee on Constitutional

Recognition of Aboriginal peoples to finalise wording of amendment; Ken Wyatt & Nova Peris

• Gov’t announced in December 2013 that the draft wording will be finalised by the end of 2014.

• Two main hurdles:

• Multi-party support for wording for clear simple questions

• Double majority - A ‘yes’ vote at referendum = majority of people nationally + majority of states

• Image: Parliamentary Education Office

Health system coalition

for constitutional recognition –

Project Aim

• Contribute to national conversation about constitutional recognition of Australia’s First Peoples (and removal of discrimination)

• Coalition of non-government health organisations, each agreeing to sign statement in support of constitutional change from a health perspective

• Publicise / promote through media, social media, members (health workforce) and other community activities

• Engagement of leaders and the people in dialogueCommunity organisations, institutions and non-government organisations

To energise their members and the broader public to engage and support the referendum

Influencing social media and on-line activists Which could be important in ways not seen in the past

Meeting the Challenge

Approach

• Endorsed by National Health Leadership Forum Indigenous health organisations, under auspice of National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples

• + the Close the Gap Committee• The Lowitja Institute provides organising base for

work contract with partner Flinders University• Collaboration with Recognise, the national

community-based organisation supporting constitutional change, auspiced by Reconciliation Australia

• Allied Health Professions AustraliaAustralasian College of Health Service ManagementAustralian College of NursesAustralian Healthcare and Hospitals AssociationAustralian Health Promotion AssociationAustralian Indigenous Doctors’ AssociationAustralian Medical AssociationCancer Council AustraliaCatholic Health AustraliaCongress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NursesCouncil of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (A & NZ)…..

Membership : 19 founding Members

• Heart FoundationIndigenous Allied Health Australia Medical Deans of Australia and New ZealandNat’l Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Healing FoundationNat’l Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Assoc’n Nat’l Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Public Health Association of AustraliaThe Lowitja Institute

+ 75 MEMBERSFrom all sectors of the health care system

Membership : 19 founding Members (continued)

• Finalise recruitment of signatories• Official Launch of the Coalition (with Recognise) - second half of 2014• Presentations to Boards, forums and conferences• Work with members to energise their constituencies• Members cover virtually all of the health workforce• Formal and informal• Public and private sectors• Aboriginal and mainstream• About 10% of Australia’s workforce – a considerable

proportion of voters

Where to from here?

Referenceshttp://www.recognise.org.au/final-reporthttp://www.recognise.org.au/why/why-recognitionhttp://www.recognise.org.au/about/expert-panelDwyer, O’Donnell (2014), Background information: Why constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is important for health equity