Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol 7 No 1 January 2007 - March 2007: 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)
Ending family violence and abuse in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: key issues: an overview paper of research and findings by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2001-2006.
Canberra: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
View report (PDF - 0.98MB - large file warning!)
View website: Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

This paper is intended to influence programs related to family violence in Indigenous communities, and ensure responses are constructed around solid evidence and facts. It highlights how violence relates to almost every facet of policy making and service delivery to Indigenous communities. Following an introduction in section one, section two summarises the main findings from HREOC research and consultations conducted 2001-2006. Section three reproduces a speech by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner identifying ten key challenges for ending family violence and abuse. Section four contains extracts of reports, submissions, court interventions, speeches and other materials prepared by the HREOC.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, Level 8, Piccadilly Tower, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000, ph: (02) 9284 9600, fax: (02) 9284 9611, General enquiries and publications: 1300 369 711, TTY: 1800 620 241 email: publications@humanrights.gov.au

Altman JC (2006)
In search of an outstations policy for Indigenous Australians.
Canberra: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
View report (PDF - 1.47MB - large file warning! )
View website: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research

This paper explores a number of issues that need to be considered prior to the formulation of any new policies relating to Indigenous outstations. It is suggested that there is very little research and understanding of culturally distinct, but evolving patterns of Indigenous mobility and migration in remote and very remote Australia. Recent ministerial calls for an open debate on outstations is applauded but the paper suggests that much of this debate is taking place without the engagement of outstation people themselves and with only limited expertise from those who have local and regional knowledge.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Hanna Neumann Building, No. 21, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, ph: (02) 6125 8211, fax: (02) 6125 9730, email: publications.caepr@anu.edu.au

Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (2006)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health performance framework report 2006.
Canberra: Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council
View report (PDF - 1.81MB - large file warning!)
View website: Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH)

This is the first report against the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework which provides the basis for measuring the impact of the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. The intention is to inform policy analysis, planning and program implementation and increase debate and policy innovation. Reporting is grouped under three tiers: health status and outcomes; determinants of health; and health system performance. This report finds that some health aspects for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have improved, but some have remained unchanged or are worsening.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • To obtain the report:
  • Contact details:
    • 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 1409, email: oatsih.enquiries@health.gov.au

Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2006)
Evaluation of Fixing Houses for Better Health Projects 2, 3 and 4. (Occasional paper no.14)
Canberra: Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
View report (PDF - 22KB)
View website: Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

The Fixing Houses for Better Health (FHBH) Projects aim to improve houses and household living conditions in remote and rural Indigenous communities. The projects use the 'housing for health' method in which the connection between healthy living practices and the quality and condition of housing is recognised. A householder’s ability to practice specific healthy living practices is seen as dependent upon the functionality of their house, in particular for ‘health hardware’, such as safe electricity and water supply, toilets, showers, washing areas and food preparation areas. This report contains an evaluation of the second, third and fourth generation of FHBH projects including: discussion on the context and design of the projects; analysis and findings; a series of recommendations for future FHBH projects; and information about case study communities.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Research Publications Unit, Research Strategies, Research and Analysis Branch, Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, PO Box 7788, Canberra Mail Centre ACT 2610, ph: (02) 6244 5458, fax: (02) 6244 6589, email: publications.research@facsia.gov.au

Helps Y, Harrison J (2006)
Hospitalised injury of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 2000-02.
Adelaide: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
View report (PDF - 825KB)
View website: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This report provides a summary of hospital separations in 2000-01 and 2001-02 due to injury and poisoning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Details include: most common reasons for hospitalisation; gender differences; length of stay; relationship with remoteness of usual residence; and data issues. The data discussed are from South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, as they are jurisdictions that provide reasonably reliable information.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • To obtain the report: ISBN-13 978 174024 6316; ISBN-10 174024 6314; AIHW cat. no. INJ 94; 89pp; Free
  • Contact details:
    • Yvonne Helps, Research Centre for Injury Studies, Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001, ph: (08) 8201 7623, email: Yvonne.Helps@flinders.edu.au

Hunter BH, ed. (2006)
Assessing the evidence on Indigenous socioeconomic outcomes: a focus on the 2002 NATSISS.
Canberra: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University
View report (PDF - 5.4 MB - large file warning!)
View website: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research

The conveners of the Indigenous Socioeconomic Outcomes Conference: Assessing Recent Evidence, argue that despite the exponential increase in data on Indigenous affairs in recent years there is a need for more acute analysis and interpretation of this material. Based on a critical appraisal of the data collected in the 2002 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, these edited proceedings present a range of responses to evidence on Indigenous economic and social status, family and community life, and discuss its implications for government policy.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • To obtain a hard copy:
  • Contact details:
    • The Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University, Hanna Neumann Building, No. 21, Canberra ACT 0200, ph: (02) 6125 8211, fax: (02) 6125 9730, email: publications.caepr@anu.edu.au



Hunter E (2006)
Back to Redfern: autonomy and the ‘Middle E’ in relation to Aboriginal health. (Research discussion paper, no. 18)
Canberra: Research Program, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
View report (PDF - 814KB)
View website: AIATSIS

The focus of this discussion paper is on the concepts of ‘paternalism’, ‘autonomy’, ‘vulnerability’, and ‘opportunity’ in relation to the social determinants and social rights of Indigenous people. The paper is based on the Redfern Oration, 9 May 2006, and raises ethical questions that medical practitioners grapple with in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Research Section, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, GPO Box 553, Canberra ACT 2601, ph: (02) 6246 1144, fax: (02) 6249 7714, email: research@aiatsis.gov.au

Pleshet N (2006)
Viability analysis for desert settlement and economy: the transport and mobility interface. (Working paper 2)
Alice Springs: Desert Knowledge CRC
View report (PDF - 1.37MB - large file warning!)
View website: Desert Knowledge CRC

This paper builds on working paper 1: Value in and of desert Australia, and examines the relationship between population mobility and land transport systems, as part of an analysis of desert settlement sustainability. The author argues that this relationship is fundamental to economic activity in desert settlements. The paper contains information relating specifically to central Australia, and includes analyses of Indigenous and non-Indigenous mobility, data relating to vehicles and road maintenance, and data from studies of remote transport schemes.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Desert Knowledge CRC, Publications Officer, PO Box 2111, Alice Springs NT 0871, ph: (08) 8950 7130, fax: (08) 8950 7187

Pleshet N (2006)
Viability analysis for desert settlement and economy: value in and of desert Australia. (Working paper 1)
Alice Springs: Desert Knowledge CRC
View report (PDF - 840KB)
View website: Desert Knowledge CRC

This paper contains a conceptual discussion analysing desert settlement viability. All settlements rely in part on external resource flows and the discussion seeks, with particular reference to central Australia, to explain how these flows are transformed according to internal processes. The author supports a substantive approach to settlement economy which draws the focus away from allocation decisions that assume static conditions, towards a view of the dynamic processes and practices of settlement livelihood activity.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Desert Knowledge CRC, Publications Officer, PO Box 2111, Alice Springs NT 0871, ph: (08) 8950 7130, fax: (08) 8950 7187



Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (2006)
Report on Government services 2006: Indigenous compendium.
Melbourne: Productivity Commission
View report (PDF - 1.4 MB - large file warning!)
View website: Productivity Commission

This annual report examines the performance of a range of services for which the government is responsible and accountable. It provides Indigenous specific data from the Report of Government Services which includes information on:

  • education
  • justice
  • health
  • emergency management
  • community services
  • housing

The report aims to provide ongoing comparisons of the performance of government services and service provision reforms.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Australian Government Productivity Commission, Locked Bag 2, Collins St, East, Melbourne VIC 8003, PO Box 80, Belconnen ACT 2616, ph: (03) 9653 2100, fax: (03) 9653 2199, freecall: 1800 020 083, (TTY): 1800 803 344, email: gsp@pc.gov.au
 
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Last updated: 5 March 2007