WGAR News: This budget could devastate Indigenous Australians: Mick Gooda, ABC The Drum

Newsletter date: 22 May 2014

Contents:

* Mick Gooda, ABC The Drum: This budget could devastate Indigenous Australians

* Joint Press Release - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders call for scrapping of co-payments
* Joline Samawi, The Wire: Aboriginal leaders upset over co-payments [Featuring Jill Gallagher and Justin Mohamed]
* NIRS: Call to give Aboriginal Medical Centres a Co-payment break
* NIRS: GP co-payment 'removes safety net to health'
* Anna Henderson, ABC News: Budget 2014: Indigenous health leaders call for exemption from Federal Government's planned GP co-payment

* SNAICC News: Where to now for Aboriginal Child and Family Centres?
* CAAMA Radio: Congress Get Cuts [Featuring Congress Co-Chair Kirstie Parker]
* Australian Greens: Budget cuts to undermine Kimberley health programs
* Joanne Shoebridge, ABC North Coast NSW: Budget: Indigenous Australians among hardest hit

* Marnie Round, Radio Adelaide: Budget Cuts Won't Help Close The Gap [Featuring Dr Tom Calma]
* Marie McInerney, Croakey: #Budget2014 risks to 'closing the gap' include Indigenous cancer impact
* Ian Ring, Canberra Times: The budget: widening not closing the gap on indigenous health

* WGAR News: Aboriginal Peoples and the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget (20 May 14)

* MICK GOODA, ABC THE DRUM: THIS BUDGET COULD DEVASTATE INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

- Analysis / Opinion

ABC The Drum: This budget could devastate Indigenous Australians
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-20/gooda-this-budget-could-devastate-...
20 May 14: "From cuts to youth welfare to the new Medicare co-payment, the budget will have a profound impact on Indigenous Australians. Mick Gooda asks, will the Federal Government speak to Aboriginal leaders before proceeding? I have spoken with many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders since the release of the federal budget. Everyone I have spoken with is concerned about its potential impact on this nation's First Peoples. We fear there is a very real prospect that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will suffer as a direct result of the budget announcements." By Mick Gooda, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner; a descendent of the Gangulu people of central Queensland

* JOINT PRESS RELEASE - ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER LEADERS CALL FOR SCRAPPING OF CO-PAYMENTS

- Media Release

Joint Press Release - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders call for scrapping of co-payments
NACCHO: http://nacchocommunique.com/2014/05/21/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-isla...
The Australian Drug Blog: http://www.drugblog.net/2014/05/20/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-lea...
21 May 14: ""Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Leaders from across Australia met in Canberra today for crisis talks regarding the implications of the Commonwealth Budget.
"The Aboriginal community sector will not agree to turn our backs on the most disadvantaged and disempowered," said Julie Tongs, CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service.
"A coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations calls on the Australian Government to recognise that a co-payment is against the principles of health equity outlined in the Statement of Intent to Close the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes.
"The suggested co-payments run counter to the findings of the World Health Organisation’s Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. Australia’s health policies and funding should reflect those findings.
"Introducing co-payments will not serve to close the gap in health outcomes; it will only widen the gap between our people and the rest of the community,' said Ms Tongs.
We reject the introduction of co-payments because they will increase inequality. ... "

"The following agencies were represented at today’s meeting:
VACCHO, AMSANT, Lowitja Institute, NACCHO, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, NATSIHWA, AIDA, National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, QAIHC and AHCSA. Also in attendance Public Health Association of Australia."

* JOLINE SAMAWI, THE WIRE: ABORIGINAL LEADER UPSET OVER CO-PAYMENTS [FEATURING JILL GALLAGHER AND JUSTIN MOHAMED]

- Audio Interviews

The Wire: Aboriginal leaders upset over co-payments
Produced by Joline Samawi
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=11555
20 May 14: "Budget night has come and gone and many organisations are left feeling the cuts and extra payments. The introduction of a $7 fee for GP visits, pathology and radiology from July next year is facing major opposition by many Aboriginal communities. A group of Aboriginal health leaders have met in Canberra and are in collaboration to resolve concerns about the planned co-payment and how it will effect those involved. ...
Featured in story:
* Jill Gallagher, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
* Justin Mohamed Chairperson of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation"

* NIRS: CALL TO GIVE ABORIGINAL MEDICAL CENTRES A CO-PAYMENT BREAK

- Audio

NIRS: Call to give Aboriginal Medical Centres a Co-payment break
[NIRS: National Indigenous Radio Service]
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/33947/Call-to-give-Aboriginal-M...
20 May 14: "Indigenous and non-Indigenous health advocates have descended on Canberra Parliament House urging the Federal Coalition to grant Aboriginal Medical Centres immunity from the proposed 7 dollar GP co-payment. They say no co-payment should be introduced until 'Close The Gap' benchmarks are achieved." Anna Henderson/Michelle Tuahine

* NIRS: GP CO-PAYMENT 'REMOVES SAFETY NET TO HEALTH'

- Audio

NIRS: GP co-payment 'removes safety net to health'
[NIRS: National Indigenous Radio Service]
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/33987/GP-co-payment-%27removes-...
21 May 14: "The CEO of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council says he believes the seven dollar GP co-payment will undo improvements made in Indigenous health. QAIHC was part of a group of community health services that met in Canberra yesterday for crisis talks regarding the budget and its impacts on First Nations people. The Council's Selwyn Button (pictured) says the co-payment removes the safety net function of Medicare." Warren Barnsley with ABC

* ANNA HENDERSON, ABC NEWS: BUDGET 2014: INDIGENOUS HEALTH LEADERS CALL FOR EXEMPTION FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PLANNED GP CO-PAYMENT

- News

ABC News: Budget 2014: Indigenous health leaders call for exemption from Federal Government's planned GP co-payment
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-20/indigenous-health-leaders-call-for...
20 May 14: "Indigenous health services are calling for immunity from the $7 co-payment for visits to the doctor until the Closing the Gap targets are met. ... "When Aboriginal people get equality in health then we should have the co-payment," National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation board member Julie Tongs said. "We see the most vulnerable of the vulnerable in our service. We see people that can't afford a loaf of bread or a bottle of milk." Ms Tongs says the co-payment is regressive." By political reporter Anna Henderson, a reporter with the ABC's Parliament House bureau

* SNAICC NEWS: WHERE TO NOW FOR ABORIGINAL CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRES?

- Analysis / Opinion

SNAICC News: Where to now for Aboriginal Child and Family Centres?
[SNAICC: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care]
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=1447
21 May 14: "The Australian Government’s decision not to fund the 38 new Aboriginal Child and Family Centres (ACFCs) beyond June 2014 is devastating news - and seriously undermines the Government’s efforts under Closing the Gap, particularly its new target to improve school attendance of Indigenous children. The ACFCs represent a $300m investment by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). It’s a considerable investment that acknowledges the importance of providing more support in the critical early years of a child’s development, as well as an acceptance that mainstream fee-based services are not a viable option for many of our children and families. ... "

* CAAMA RADIO: CONGRESS GET CUTS [FEATURING CONGRESS CO-CHAIR KIRSTIE PARKER]

- Audio Interview

CAAMA Radio: Congress Get Cuts
[CAAMA: Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association]
[Congress: National Congress of Australia's First Peoples]
http://caama.com.au/congress-get-cuts
19 May 14: "On the back of last weeks budget the National Congress of Australia’s First People have announced fears about the future of Aboriginal Programs right across the country. Over $534 Million Dollars was axed to Aboriginal Programs in the federal budget. Over $160 Million was cut from Health programs and Congress lost $15 Million Dollars worth of funding. Co-Chair of Congress Kirstie Parker told CAAMA Radio while this is a blow to Congress. They would remain a thorn in the governments side that didn’t address issues for Aboriginal people."

* AUSTRALIAN GREENS: BUDGET CUTS TO UNDERMINE KIMBERLEY HEALTH PROGRAMS

- Analysis / Opinion

Australian Greens: Budget cuts to undermine Kimberley health programs
http://greens.org.au/node/4824
20 May 14: "The Australian Greens have expressed concern over the future of Aboriginal health programs in the Kimberley, saying the federal budget is a huge setback to commitments to close the gap. "Tony Abbott's budget has taken away $534 million as he consolidates 150 programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into five. This includes a significant cut of $165.8 in of health programs," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said today. "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health has taken a huge hit in this budget, leading to a great deal of uncertainty about what the government has planned for community and health programs across WA and the Kimberley. ... "

* JOANNE SHOEBRIDGE, ABC NORTH COAST NSW: BUDGET: INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS AMONG HARDEST HIT

- News

ABC North Coast NSW: Budget: Indigenous Australians among hardest hit
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/05/20/4007942.htm
20 May 14: "More than half a billion dollars will be slashed from indigenous affairs and 150 programs rolled into just five if budget measures pass the Senate, making Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders among the hardest hit. It's a chilly May day in Canberra as dozens of indigenous health leaders meet to lobby for exemptions to the contraversial co-payment initiative for indigenous Australians. There was a collective shiver when Aboriginal Medical Services around the country realised the budget changes would take 90 million dollars from indigenous health and their clients would will be subject to the $7 GP levy." By Joanne Shoebridge, the voice behind the ABC Rural Report on the North Coast

* MARNIE ROUND RADIO ADELAIDE: BUDGET CUTS WON'T HELP CLOSE THE GAP [FEATURING DR TOM CALMA]

- Audio Interview

Radio Adelaide Digital: Budget Cuts Won't Help Close The Gap
https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/budget-cuts-wont-help-close-the-gap/
20 May 14: " ... But the Federal Budget announcement to cut Indigenous programs, including the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, has sparked grave concern that the health of First Australians will drastically decline. In recent days Dr [Tom] Calma has called for exemptions from the GP co-payment until health equality is achieved. He spoke to Marnie Round about this and how, more broadly, cuts to indigenous and general health programs will have impacts in the community. Produced by Marnie Round"

* MARIE MCINERNEY, CROAKEY: #Budget2014 RISKS TO 'CLOSING THE GAP' INCLUDE INDIGENOUS CANCER IMPACT

- Analysis / Opinion

Croakey - the Crikey health blog: #Budget2014 risks to ‘closing the gap’ include Indigenous cancer impact
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2014/05/20/budget2014-risks-to-closin...
20 May 14: "There is growing concern that harsh Federal Budget measures on health and other funding areas will put at risk efforts to close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. In the post below, health researcher Clive Aspin says the Budget will increase the health and social disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. He looks particularly at the likely risks to cancer prevention, detention and treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people." Marie McInerney

* IAN RING, CANBERRA TIMES: THE BUDGET: WIDENING NOT CLOSING THE GAP ON INDIGENOUS HEALTH

- Analysis / Opinion

The Canberra Times: The budget: widening not closing the gap on indigenous health
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/the-budget-widening-not-closing-...
20 May 14: "For the first time in many decades, Aboriginal health actually faces the prospect of going backwards. The road to effectively dealing with one of the biggest health failures in the western world, by eliminating the gross differences in health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and the rest of the population, has been too long, too slow and too uneven, but nonetheless generally improving, even if at a somewhat glacial pace." Ian Ring, a professorial fellow at the Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong

* WGAR NEWS: ABORIGINAL PEOPLES AND THE IMPACT OF THE 2014 FEDERAL BUDGET (20 MAY 14)

- Compilation

WGAR News: Aboriginal Peoples and the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget (20 May 14)
http://indymedia.org.au/2014/05/19/wgar-news-aboriginal-peoples-and-the-...
"Contents:
* Amy McQuire, The Guardian: Cash for jails: Tony Abbott's budget for Indigenous Australia
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: "Warren Mundine, show your face," Tauto Sansbury [Featuring Tauto Sansbury]
* Let's Talk's Tiga Bayles interviews Chris Graham speaking about and breaking down the recently announced Australian Budget
* Let's Talk's Tiga Bayles interviews Mary Graham & Monica Morgan about the upcoming Budget announcement
* NACCHO: CONGRESS 2014 Budget Response: Concern over impact of the Budget on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
* NACCHO: NACCHO Budget Response: Pressure on Indigenous health outcomes
* Statement by SNAICC Chairperson, Sharron Williams: Budget cuts will hurt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
* SNAICC Media Release: End the damaging stalemate NOW on funding for Aboriginal Children and Family Centres
* Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT): ALS News: An update on our services
* IAHA Media Release - Allied Health Flies Under Budget Radar
* ANTaR: A shocking Budget for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ...
* Reconciliation Australia: 2014-15 Federal Budget Summary ... "

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

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