Federal Government renews effort to close the gap in Indigenous health

The Australian Government has announced $777 million to fund its share of a renewed National partnership agreement (NPA) on Closing the gap in Indigenous health outcomes for a further three years to 30 June 2016.

This funding is aimed at achieving the federal government’s commitment to ‘close the gap’ in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation, and to halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five within a decade.

The Australian Government provided $805.5 million over four years for the initial agreement. The renewed funding of $777 million over three years is an increase over previous per annum expenditure.

The funding announcement has been welcomed by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Chair, Justin Mohamed.

‘The Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to Aboriginal health in a challenging fiscal environment is testament to many in the sector who have worked tirelessly to keep Aboriginal health on the national agenda.’

The Australian Government will ask the states and territories to continue their investment to renew the National partnership agreement (NPA). Under the current agreement, due to expire on 30 June 2013, governments provided $1.58 billion over four years to improve access to health services for Indigenous families and communities. The Australian Government has committed to continue to work with Indigenous people and health services as the renewed agreement is implemented.

The Government anticipates the renewed NPA to complement the proposed National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health plan, which has been the subject of extensive stakeholder consultations over the last several months.

Source: Australian Government and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

• Further information:
  • $777 million for renewed effort to ‘close the gap’ in Indigenous health
    View news item: Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Julia Gillard (18 April 2013)
  • Gillard offers states sweetener to ‘close the gap’
    View news item: ABC (18 April 2013)
  • Federal government announces funds to ‘close the gap‘
    View news item: Australian Human Rights Commission (18 April 2013)