Gerry Georgatos
On the back of reports released on the well-being of Aboriginal youth, with figures tabled showing more than half of Aboriginal youth are developmentally vulnerable Western Australia's Commissioner for Children and Young People Michelle Scott has called upon the state for investment in programs.
Commissioner Scott released brief reports on "Indigenous education, risky behaviour and physical health" and said that the children were most vulnerable from their first year of school.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) also released its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health audit report with AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton saying that "much more still needs to be done to close the gap in health inequalities."
The Human Rights Alliance recently released its report that homelessness rates for WA's Aboriginal peoples have worsened and with the Kimberley region, a renowned tourist mecca and resource rich with the highest homelessness rates in the nation.
AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton said it showed greater government commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health but there was still much to do to close the gap in health inequalities.
Commissioner Scott has called for investment in programs, and more funding to current programs to expand their capacity to overwhelm "major impediments" faced by Aboriginal youth.
"Increased funding is required in some areas... existing funding targeting children's well-being needs to be spent on programs the evidence tells us will make a difference," said Commissioner Scott.
She said that more than double the rate of Aboriginal children when compared to non-Aboriginal children "were not ready to learn" when they commenced school.
She said that proven examples of programs that work included early learning centres already on trial in Wyndham and Warnum, and more of these were needed "to help with transition to school."