Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Ministers statements: Aboriginal health

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (13:29): I rise to update the house on the outstanding work of Victoria’s Aboriginal community controlled health sector. We know that we need new and different solutions to reduce the growing health gap between First Nations people and the general population, and Aboriginal community controlled organisations are at the forefront of this work, delivering culturally safe practices and making meaningful change to the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations Victorians.

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum to hear firsthand from ACCOs on their priorities for mental health and social and emotional wellbeing for Aboriginal people in Victoria. I understand that Western models of care do not reflect a holistic approach to social and emotional wellbeing, which goes beyond good mental health and extends to connection to country, culture, spirituality, ancestry, family and community. First Nations people have better health outcomes when the services they access are culturally safe, and I have had the opportunity to visit a number of services to see the power of this work in action. I also want to acknowledge Mick Graham, the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation chairperson, and Dr Jill Gallagher, CEO of VACCHO, for their leadership in this space and their longstanding commitment to supporting best practice for community social and emotional wellbeing.

I look forward to continuing to work with the forum not only to implement the important recommendations arising from the Royal Commission into the Mental Health System but also towards a self-determined mental health and wellbeing system that really delivers and uplifts social and emotional wellbeing for First Nations Victorians.