Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) is pleased to release our election priorities for the upcoming 2025 Federal Election on Saturday 3 May.
IAHA identifies five urgent priorities that, collectively, will play a pivotal role in improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes and grow an appropriately skilled, culturally responsive allied health workforce, critical for an efficient and equitable national health system.
Ahead of the election, IAHA are calling on all sides of politics to commit to:
- sustainable and long-term investment in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan via our member-based and self-determining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce organisations
- changing their ways of work of working to enact the priority reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and to address the shortfalls and negative experiences identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- strategic and coordinated investment in culturally safe, responsive, and place-based allied health education, training and employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- greater development of allied health service and workforce models – including effective rural and remote models – to keep people well, on Country, and to ensure a sustainable healthcare system.
- implementing and monitoring the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to affirm our rights as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Kamilaroi woman Ms Nicole Turner, Chairperson of IAHA, said of the election priorities "health rightfully remains at the forefront of pre-election campaigning, and both major parties are spruiking their ability to ensure a sustainable health care system to ensure all Australians have access to care. However, it is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, workforce, and responsive allied health services that underpin access to sustainable, high quality and equitable care. It is evident that there is an absence of coordinated long term vision for allied health to keep people well and thriving on all sides of politics. IAHA were disappointed recently, for example, with the clear omission of allied health from a new national health workforce campaign to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to pursue careers in primary care."
IAHA, alongside the Black Dog Institute, Gayaa Dhuwi Proud Spirit Australia, Thirrili, and the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association, have called for politicians to engage in a respectful election.
Ms Turner said "we don't need to agree on everything, but we can debate respectfully and avoid the unnecessary politicisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. All political parties, and our media, have a responsibility to support positive, truthful and safe discussions which empower our people and voices."
About us:
Established in 2009, Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) is a national, member-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health organisation. IAHA leads sector workforce development and support to improve health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
IAHA supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health students and graduates, value-adding to existing professional development educational and cultural support structures. IAHA also supports the broader allied health workforce and its associate membership of individuals and organisations with expertise, interest and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our membership is diverse and works across sectors including but not limited to health, mental health, disability, aged care, education, justice, community services, academia and policy.
Importantly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are at the centre of everything we do. IAHA looks forward to continuing to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations, as well as governments to improve the health and social and emotional wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
