Check against delivery
Thank you, Donnella, for your kind introduction.
And let me also thank Dr Matilda House and Paul House.
It's a privilege to be welcomed on to the land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.
For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's connection to land, water, culture and language has survived despite a history of colonisation, massacre and government-ordered cruelty.
It is a source of great pride recognising that I share this continent with the oldest continuing culture on the planet.
I know everyone here today joins me in acknowledging this enduring connection.
It has been just over 4 months since I had the honour of being sworn in as the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health.
Following on from the dedicated work of my colleague and dear friend Malarndirri McCarthy, who has supported me every step of the way.
And these 4 months have been a whirlwind, as I've sought to travel across the country to hear firsthand from the community-controlled sector.
From metropolitan regions of Australia to some of the most remote - including Badu Island, which is between the tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea.
I want to thank those who have taken the time to share with me, to invite me in.
I have not taken a moment of this responsibility for granted, and I will continue to do all I can to listen, learn and fight for you in the halls of power.
I know you'll be hearing from the Minister for Health Mark Butler tomorrow, where he will share some of the initiatives our government's been working hard to deliver.
But today I want to focus on First Nations women.
Anyone who knows me, knows that women's health is truly my passion.
Ever since becoming a nurse - almost 40 years ago now, I've done all I can to break down stigma, increase access, empower, and give voice to advancing the health and wellbeing of women and girls.
But before continuing, I would be remiss if I did not recognise all of you here - the community-controlled sector.
The significance of your collective and individual contributions to the health of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is incalculable.
I want to thank and acknowledge the incredible work and leadership of NACCHO.
And in doing so I recognise:
- Pat Turner
- Dr Dawn Casey.
And the representatives of members services from around the country.
Together, you have led a powerful movement to improve the health and wellbeing of First Nations people.
For more than 50 years, ACCHOs have been at the forefront of health care for First Nations people.
Developing and delivering culturally safe and accessible health services across the country.
I'm proud to be part of a government that is so strongly committed to working in partnership with First Nations people to close the gap.
It's a manner that underpins how we approach all our work.
Because we know that we're stronger together.
More effective together.
Together we're working on really important changes in maternal care.
As a mum to 4 (6 including my stepchildren), I remember the joy - and the absolute fear - of being pregnant.
Especially your first pregnancy. Mine was to twins at 23.
The story that I've heard from many First Nation mums-to-be is that they want to be closer to community and care that's appropriate to them.
I think this is a feeling that resonates with all mums.
Which is what makes the Birthing on Country model so important.
It really is your health in your hands.
It's an area which is leading the way in blending traditional First Nations' culture and western medicines.
For decades the health outcomes for First Nations mums and bubs have remained unacceptable.
The devastating rates of stillbirth and deaths in the first year of life, with around half of those deaths due to the baby being born underweight or premature.
It's why effective maternal care is critical.
The latest data from the Productivity Commission was encouraging, with the proportion of First Nations babies being born at a healthy weight improving between 2017 and 2021.
And while the rate of pre-term births is still far too high, nationally we are on track to meet the Closing the Gap target of 91 per cent born with healthy weight, by 2031.
The only way to ensure we continue to improve outcomes is by listening to First Nations peoples and follow the path they have set for us.
"Early and ongoing culturally responsive care is the key to improving pregnancy outcomes", the Productivity Commission's report said.
Early and ongoing, culturally responsive care.
This is exactly what Birthing on Country is and what a Birthing on Country model of care achieves.
It's a game-changing shift in our approach to maternal health, that is effective in urban, regional or remote settings.
A strong First Nations health workforce, as well as partnerships between primary care services and hospitals, are essential to successful Birthing on Country models of care.
First Nations women should feel comfortable and not discriminated against when they see health professionals.
And the evidence is clear.
First Nations-led Birthing on Country models of care works.
Women attend more check-ups during pregnancy and are more likely to give up smoking while pregnant.
They are 50% less likely to have their baby before it reaches term, and more likely to fully breastfeed when they leave hospital.
Healthier, happier mums, bubs and families.
All while creating meaningful and long-term work for First Nations maternity health workers.
I want to acknowledge the researchers, First Nations women and Elders, as well as the health services and hospitals who pioneered Birthing on Country models of care.
You provided the evidence.
And our government is providing the support to roll out Birthing on Country models across the nation, as a key part of Closing the Gap.
We've invested over $3 million to fix a critical gap in indemnity insurance coverage for midwives providing care under Birthing on Country models, to ensure they have the financial protection they need to continue their work.
And our $32 million Healthy Mums Healthy Bubs measure is growing the maternal health workforce and supporting Birthing on Country models of care.
One project that stands out is the Djäkamirr Birthing on Country Project on Elcho Island in East Arnhem Land.
I had the privilege of visiting the remarkable team just a few weeks ago.
As well as improving maternal health and seeing more babies with healthy birthweights, the Djäkamirr project is increasing long-term employment opportunities for local First Nations peoples.
The $6 million our government has invested in this project is the result of listening to voices of those who know what is best for their local community.
A collaboration of western and Yolŋu knowledge and culture.
Underpinned by genuine cultural recognition.
Our government knows we can use this same approach to improve First Nations people's health at all stages of life.
This is why I'm proud to announce this morning that the Albanese Labor Government will invest $9.9 million to extend all existing birthing on country programs for an additional 12 months.
And over the next 12 months we will work with the sector to ensure mums and bubs can continue to access these important services into the future.
Something else our government knows is that health interventions should empower people, not intimidate and alienate them.
And one way we've committed help to empower women is to provide free menstrual hygiene products.
Now most of us in this room have experienced periods. Some of us worse than others.
All of us however know how much worse our periods would be if we didn't have access to pads or tampons.
Period poverty isn't something that's just awkward - it means you can't go to work, school, or just leave the house.
Cost-of-living pressures have made menstrual poverty very real for women in many parts of Australia.
And in remote and very remote communities, the costs of menstrual products are much higher.
I've spoken to many mums in remote communities who have expressed the sadness and pain of watching their daughters miss out on school - or just teenage girl things - when they start getting their periods.
My heart would break if I had to watch this happen to my own girls.
That's why I campaigned for our government to invest over $12 million to distribute period products with a focus on remote and very remote areas.
And we're working with NACCHO to facilitate a community-led, culturally appropriate program to distribute menstrual hygiene products.
With NACCHO's help we're supporting women and girls to maintain good menstrual health and reduce the shame around something as natural as periods.
No longer will they have to miss out on school, work, community events and social activities, just because of their gender.
And I would like to acknowledge the leadership from Dr Dawn Casey in advocating for this measure through the National Women's Health Advisory Council.
And to further remove barriers to access for menstrual products, our government has delivered the most significant tariff reform in two decades, to cut costs and reduce red tape on menstrual cups, menstrual underwear, and other necessary products.
Now I mentioned this year's theme earlier - Our Health in Our Hands.
And I don't need to tell this room how critical it is that we continue to do everything we can to increase the number of hands in the health sector.
While there's still a lot of work to do, I'm proud of this Labor Government's commitment to strengthen the First Nations health workforce.
But it's not enough to simply build a workforce.
We must also show that we value our workforce.
As a nurse, and a union leader, it's something I'll always be passionate about.
Which is why I'm so proud to share that the Albanese Labor government is supporting the Fair Work Commission's gender undervaluation review.
Ordinarily, a review wouldn't be the most exciting prospect for government.
But this one's different.
The gender undervaluation review is looking at how we can continue to reduce the gender pay gap in traditionally feminised industries.
But we're not stopping there.
We think, as part of that process, that it's also important to look at any potential undervaluation of the skills and cultural knowledge that our Aboriginal Health Workforce possess.
Put simply, we recognise that you have skills and knowledge that can't be found anywhere else in the world - and we want to make sure your pay reflects that.
I want to be clear; this will take time - I know this process as well as anyone.
But we are committed to supporting workers.
It's what Labor Governments do.
It's why we're delivering pay increases for Aged Care workers from January 1st.
And it's why - from this month - we're delivering pay increases for early childhood workers.
And as long as we have the privilege of holding office, we'll continue to do all we can to support our workers - who are the beating heart of our health sector.
For everyone here today - I want to sincerely thank you for your commitment to better health and wellbeing outcomes for all First Nations people.
Let's continue to work together to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people finally get the health outcomes they deserve.
Thank you.
