Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol 6 No 1 January 2006 - March 2006: ISSN 1445-7253

A peer-reviewed electronic journal from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Reports and publications



This section of the Bulletin identifies recent reports and publications, including book chapters. If you are aware of material that would be appropriate for inclusion in this section please contact us.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner (2006)
Native title report 2005.
Sydney: Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

The Native title report 2005 assesses the issues and the potential impacts of the Indigenous land leasing proposal, as well as providing some alternative economic development strategies and initiatives.

Tom Calma, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner, argues that the Australian Government’s proposal to encourage individual leases on Indigenous land will not necessarily lead to improved economic outcomes for Indigenous people. Rather, the main focus should be directed toward the development of comprehensive policy or legislation designed to lift the barriers that prevent Indigenous Australians from deriving economic benefit from land.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

View HREOC media release (HTML)

The report (view PDF - 8.94MB - large file warning!) is available on the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission website (view website). For further information contact: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001, ph: (02) 9284 9600; fax: (02) 9284 9611.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner (2006)
Social justice report 2005.
Sydney: Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

The Social justice report 2005 examines progress in achieving improvements in the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, sets out a human rights framework for achieving health equality within a generation, and provides a long-term vision for government focussed activity.

The report also examines the implementation of the new, post-ATSIC arrangements for Indigenous affairs and comments on a range of other reform processes impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

View HREOC media release 1 (HTML)
View HREOC media release 2 (HTML)
View AMA media release (HTML)

The report (view PDF - 8.76MB - large file warning!) is available on the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission website (view website). For further information contact: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001, ph: (02) 9284 9600; fax: (02) 9284 9611.

Access Economics (2006)
Opal cost benefit analysis.
Canberra: The Opal Alliance

This report, which details the impact of petrol sniffing in Central Australia, was prepared by Access Economics for the Opal Alliance. The Opal Alliance consists of the GPT Group, the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council and the Central Australian Youth Link-up Service (CAYLUS).

The report calculates that the social and health costs of petrol sniffing are $79 million a year. It concludes that a major roll-out, across Central Australia, of the 'unsniffable' fuel known as Opal, would save $27 million a year.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

View Opal Alliance media release (PDF - 35KB)
View ABC Online news report - March 14, 2006 (HTML)
View ABC Online news report - March 16, 2006 (HTML)

The report (view PDF - 629KB) is available on the Access Economics website (view website). For further information contact: Gloria Hawke, ph: (02) 8284 9909 or 0413 520 603; or Kylie Casey, ph: (02) 8284 9915 or 0414 881 439.

Commonwealth of Australia (2005)
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sexual health and blood borne virus strategy 2005-2008.
Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia
View report (HTML)
View report (PDF - 2MB - large file warning!)

Evidence shows that high rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are due in large part to lack of access to basic primary health care services for appropriate treatment, care and support. This strategy builds upon the work of the National Indigenous Australians’ Sexual Health Strategy (NIASHS) 1996-97 to 2003-04 and complements national mainstream strategies in related areas. It highlights the additional priorities and special issues that are unique to the prevention and treatment needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Its intention is to provide a comprehensive approach to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, STIs, and blood borne viruses (BBV) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The strategy identifies four priority areas that require concerted action by Indigenous-specific and mainstream health services. They are:

  • sexually transmissible infections;
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the cross border region of Australia and
    Papua New Guinea;
  • access to needle and syringe programs; and
  • increased capacity in the health and community workforce to address all aspects of Aboriginal
    and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS, STIs and BBV.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For further information or to request a copy of the strategy please contact the: Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH), MDP 17, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, ph: (02) 6289 5291, fax: (02) 6289 1412, email: oatsih.enquiries@health.gov.au

Department of Health and Ageing (2005)
National strategic framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health 2003-2013: Australian Government implementation plan 2003-2008.
Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
View report (PDF - 1MB - large file warning!)

This implementation plan details the Australian Government's current response to recommendations made in the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 2003-2013 to improve health outcomes for Indigenous Australians. It describes existing and planned action by the Australian Government, including programs and policy approaches where the Commonwealth is contributing to multilateral initiatives involving Indigenous health and community organisations, State and Territory governments, and government agencies outside the health sector.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (view PDF - 1MB - large file warning!) is available on the Department of Health and Ageing website (view website). For information regarding the availability of hardcopy versions of Department of Health and Ageing publications contact: National Mailing and Marketing, PO Box 7077, Canberra Mailing Centre, ACT 2610, ph: (02) 6269 1000, fax: (02) 6260 2770, email: nmm@nationalmailing.com.au

Eckermann A, Dowd T, Chong E, Nixon L, Gray R, et al. (2005)
Binan Goonj: bridging cultures in Aboriginal health.
2nd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone
(RRP $39.95) ISBN 0729537714

The second edition of Binan Goonj: bridging cultures in Aboriginal health has been released. This book examines the processes and practices that underlie the poor health of Indigenous peoples in Australia, and suggests practical strategies to improve Indigenous health and wellbeing.

Extensively adopted as a teaching text across Australia, this updated and revised edition provides coverage of essential Aboriginal health topics in an accessible manner.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Franks C (2005)
Gallinyalla: a town of substance?: alcohol, tobacco, medicines and other drug use in the Port Lincoln community.
Port Lincoln, SA: Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Inc.

This report is the result of a project undertaken by the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Inc. (PLAHS) with funding from the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH). The aim of the project was to gain an understanding of the extent and impact of substance use in the Port Lincoln Aboriginal community in order to develop and implement strategies to tackle substance use in the region. Research involved: undertaking discussions with key stakeholders; convening and facilitating focus groups; conducting 285 random interviews; and collecting data from 211 written questionnaires. Both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people participated in the study.

The study revealed that the most significant concern for participants was the excessive consumption of alcohol by young people in the community. Use of marijuana, speed, amphetamines and heroin were also of prime concern. The study showed that substance use was also a significant problem within the non-Aboriginal community.

Specific recommendations included:
. increasing communication between mainstream and Aboriginal organisations;
. developing educational programs in the areas of harm minimisation, alcohol use, and health promotion;
. establishing a culturally appropriate local detoxification unit;
. securing safe injecting rooms; and
. promoting youth related activities, such as a youth drop in centre, entertainment facilities, and activities to raise self-esteem.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For further information contact: Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Inc., 19A Oxford Terrace, PO Box 1583, Port Lincoln SA 5606, ph: (08) 8683 0162, email: reception@plahs.org.au

National Public Health Partnership (2005)
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Safety Promotion Strategy.
Canberra: National Public Health Partnership

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Safety Promotion Strategy has been developed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Injury Prevention Action Committee (ATSIIPAC), appointed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Working Group of the National Public Health Partnership Group. The strategy builds on and is integrated with the National injury prevention and safety promotion plan: 2004-2014. Together these documents target safety promotion and injury prevention for all Australians.

In this report the strategic requirements to improve safety and reduce the incidence and harm of injury to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are set out. The objectives of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Safety Promotion Strategy include: improving the safety of environments and building on community capacity to promote well being; supporting communities to prioritise and address safety and injury issues; and mobilising actions and resources that encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, government, and non-government sectors to work together to promote safety and prevent injury. The identified priorities for action include: social and emotional wellbeing; child and young people's safety; violence affecting families and individuals; land transport; water safety; and workplace safety.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Both the Strategy (view strategy - PDF - 320KB) and the National injury prevention and safety promotion plan (view plan - PDF - 401KB) are available on the Strategic Injury Prevention Partnership webpage (view webpage) of the National Public Health Partnership website (view website). For further information contact: National Public Health Partnership Secretariat, ph: (03) 9603 8338, fax: (03) 9603 8310, email: nphp@dhs.vic.gov.au.

Queensland Health (2005)
Strategic policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people's health 2005-2010.
Brisbane: State of Queensland, Queensland Health

This report describes a five year strategy to improve the health status of Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. It aims to improve the social and environmental factors that affect health, and to increase access to skilled and appropriate health care. The strategic policy outlines efforts to address the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from 0 to18 years old, with a focus on maternal health, the early years, and sexual and reproductive health. The strategy is organised around six objectives: partnerships; participation, planning and decision-making; organisational capacity; workforce development; data, monitoring and evaluation; and promotion, prevention, early detection and intervention. These objectives are grouped under four headings: societal; community; health system development; and family and individual service delivery.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (view PDF - 1MB - large file warning!) is available on the Queensland Health website (view website). For further information contact: Queensland Health, GPO Box 48, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, ph: (07) 3234 0111.

Sanders W (2005)
Housing tenure and Indigenous Australians in remote and settled areas. (Discussion paper no. 275/2005)
Canberra: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research

This paper argues that the Australian housing tenure system, which is dominated by home ownership in densely populated regions, is not reflected in remote regions for either Indigenous or non-Indigenous households. The author adopts a socioeconomic and policy systems approach to housing tenure patterns, utilising 2001 Census data organised by remoteness geography, to provide evidence of this. It highlights that the remote area Australian housing tenure system relies heavily on community-owned and government-financed housing for Indigenous people and on employer-provided housing for non-Indigenous people.

Ideas about promoting home ownership in remote Aboriginal communities are also examined, and it is argued that given the underlying income and employment status of Indigenous people, home ownership as a goal of policy is unrealistic. Private rental rates in settled areas, and household size in remote areas, are suggested as better indicators of Indigenous housing disadvantage than low home ownership rates. The paper concludes with an examination of the difficulties of developing home ownership in discrete Indigenous communities as demonstrated in a previous Queensland Government initiative and a recent study conducted by a research team at the University of Queensland.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 2.49MB - large file warning!) is available on the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University website. For further information contact: Centre for Aboriginal Policy Research, Hanna Neumann Building #21, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, ph: (02) 6125 8211; fax: (02) 6125 9730.
 
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Last updated: 4 May, 2006