The Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, Assistant Minister Malarndirri McCarthy, the Lead Convener of the Coalition of the Peaks Pat Turner and NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris, announced the funding together at the Joint Council on Closing the Gap meeting in Adelaide on Friday 5 July.
The funding is part of $100 million the Federal Government is investing into 33 Indigenous health infrastructure projects across Australia.
The investment will go towards constructing new clinics, renovating existing clinics, and building staff housing for workers to make it easier for Aboriginal people to access health services – from Bourke to Ballina, the Central Coast to Coonamble.
The Australian and NSW Governments are committed to closing the gap in health outcomes in partnership with First Nations people.
Existing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services’ (ACCHS) infrastructure is between 20 and 40 years old, with many clinics and buildings in desperate need of repair or replacement.
Improved clinics and safer housing will also make working in ACCHS more attractive to health professionals.
This new funding is in addition to the $120 million for 52 projects announced in December 2022 and the $15 million for 10 projects announced in May last year.
Minister for Indigenous AustraliansLinda Burney said:
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to Closing the Gap in health outcomes.
“Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services provide crucial medical care and are often the only health service available in rural and remote communities.
“The new and upgraded clinics will make it easier for First Nations people to access primary health care.”
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said:
“We are committed to strengthening the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector so it can continue to provide quality health care to First Nations people.
“Roughly half of all First Nations people receive their medical care through an ACCHS, so it is essential that these clinics are fit for purpose.
“Ensuring health workers have access to accommodation will help Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services to hire and keep staff, resulting in greater access to health care services for First Nations people.”
NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
“The NSW Government welcomes this funding in line with the Priority Reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to help improve health services and health outcomes for Aboriginal people all over the state.
“This is a significant boost to health infrastructure that will have a ripple effect to enable better equipped facilities to better serve their communities, improve patient safety and attract health care workers.”