MEDIA INVITATION & RELEASE
Embargoed until 4.00pm 29 October 2010
Note: Due to high level security at this event, please phone Michele Robinson on 8273 7200 or
0408 821 289 to arrange a pass to attend.
SA Government & State Opposition to Sign Statement of Intent to Close the Gap
On Friday 29 October 2010 at 4.00pm in the Balcony Room of Parliament House in Adelaide,
SA Acting Premier the Hon. Kevin Foley, Minister for Health the Hon. John Hill MP, Shadow
Minister for Health Dr Duncan McFedtridge, Chairperson of the Aboriginal Health Council of SA
Inc. Ms Yvonne Buza, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Mr Mick Gooda, will sign the Statement of Intent for South Australia to Close the Gap in life
expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal Australians within
a generation.
The Hon. John Hill MP, will host the event which will be attended by Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal organisations and people who are working together to Close the Gap.
Other key signatories to the Statement of Intent will be:
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement
AHCSA Member Services
Anglicare SA
Australian Medical Association of South Australia
Australian Nurses Federation of South Australia
General Practice SA
Heart Foundation
Indigenous Allied Health Alliance
OXFAM
Reconciliation SA
South Australian Council for Social Service
The Statement of Intent commits the signatories to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
islander people to achieve equality in health status and life expectancy by the year 2030.
Specifically the Statement says:
We share a determination to close the fundamental divide between the health outcomes and
life expectancy of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia and non-
Indigenous Australians.
We are committed to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have equal
life chances to all other Australians.
We are committed to working towards ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
have access to health services that are equal in standard to those enjoyed by other
Australians, and enjoy living conditions that support their social, emotional and cultural well-
being.
We recognise that specific measures are needed to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples’ access to health services. Crucial to ensuring equal access to health
services is ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are actively involved
in the design, delivery, and control of these services.
The signatories commit to:
Developing a comprehensive, long-term plan of action, that is targeted to need, evidence-
based and capable of addressing the existing inequities in health services, in order to
achieve equality of health status and life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians by 2030.
Ensuring primary health care services and health infrastructure for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples which are capable of bridging the gap in health standards by 2018.
Ensuring the full participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their
representative bodies in all aspects of addressing their health needs.
Working collectively to systematically address the social determinants that impact on
achieving health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Building on the evidence base and supporting what works in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander health, and relevant international experience.
Supporting and developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled
health services in urban, rural and remote areas in order to achieve lasting improvements in
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
Achieving improved access to, and outcomes from, mainstream services for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Respect and promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including
by ensuring that health services are available, appropriate, accessible, affordable, and of
good quality.
Measure, monitor, and report on our joint efforts, in accordance with benchmarks and
targets, to ensure that we are progressively realising our shared ambitions.
The Statement of Intent has been spearheaded by the Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. and
Oxfam Australia. The Aboriginal Health Council SA is the peak body representing Aboriginal
health and substance misuse services, and Aboriginal health advisory committees in South
Australia at a state and national level.
ENDS. For further information contact: Michele Robinson, Aboriginal Health Council of South
Australia Inc., 08 8273 7200 or 0408 821 289.
NEWS 
