Introduction by Croakey: As Queensland enters caretaker period this week ahead of the 26 October state election, youth crime, truth and treaty, and housing are some of the key priorities at stake.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association, Australian Medical Association Queensland and Rural Doctors Association of Queensland are urging candidates to prioritise the health workforce and access to equitable healthcare.
AMA Queensland implored “whichever party is elected to support programs advocated for by First Nations health organisations”, including the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC).
Below, in an article first published in Sector Leader Magazine by QAIHC, Queensland Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Organisation leaders share their election priorities.
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council writes:
The ACCHO sector is proud of the vital and necessary role it plays in the Queensland health sector.
From the Torres Strait to the Gold Coast and as far west as Charleville and Mt Isa, the ACCHO sector provides comprehensive, holistic and culturally safe primary healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in remote, regional and metropolitan areas.
Our Members see first-hand the problems facing many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including lack of health funding; poor access to quality food and water, housing and infrastructure; chronic disease; health workforce shortages; discrimination and health inequity.
They are passionate about improving health outcomes for their communities by working with governments to implement solutions that are community-led and culturally appropriate.
Sector Leader interviewed workers from QAIHC and the wider ACCHO sector to ask them what issues were most important to them in the upcoming Queensland election.
Community control
Noelene Selke, CEO of Northern Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Alliance (NATSIHA), the regional peak body representing ACCHOs in Far North Queensland, and proud Kaureg woman said:
Community control is our inalienable right, therefore whatever the Queensland state elections outcomes may be, we need to continue to remain a strong, proud, focused and united community controlled health sector.
Sustained commitments
Theresa Simpson, CEO of Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan, which provides healthcare and accommodation to women and children of Cape York, NPA and Torres while in Cairns, and proud Wakka Wakka woman with ancestral and cultural connections to Kalkadoon, said:
Our priorities haven’t changed. Addressing the health inequality of First Nations peoples continues to be as urgent as ever.
The concern is, and we’ve seen this too many times, commitments to addressing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is used as mere political platforms.
Once the spotlight is off, commitments fall by the wayside, we fall by the wayside.
For the health status of our people to change, we need sustained commitments. We need promises to be kept.
This means our people’s health priorities remain a priority, regardless of leadership and political term.
The severity of the situation overrides party agenda and politics. We’re failing, and our First Nations men, women and children are the ones that are suffering.
We need all politicians and bureaucracies to truly commit to Closing the Gap in health inequality, and commit to it again, again, and again, until we see results.
Targeted funding, justice reform
Jacob Pagan, Business Operations Specialist, QAIHC, and proud Barunggam man, said:
In my opinion, for the upcoming Queensland state election, issues that are important to me are focused on health, youth justice, and workforce retention.
First and foremost, adequate health investment and reform are imperative. The Queensland Government must ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities receive targeted funding.
Direct support is crucial for enhancing health outcomes within our communities.
Another area demanding action is youth justice. The system is currently burdened by punitive policies, a lack of holistic approaches, and sensationalist media portrayals. These factors contribute to the disproportionate representation of our youth in the justice system.
Lastly, the government needs to address the disparity in incentives for not-for-profit employees compared to their counterparts.
As the cost-of-living soars, our sector struggles to match the competitive remuneration and superannuation rates offered by government entities. Strengthening workforce retention policies will help sustain our dedicated workers who are essential to our community’s wellbeing.
Appropriate access
Stanley Tatipata, Closing the Gap Manager, QAIHC, and proud Kulkalgal and Wuthathi man, said:
From a personal perspective, appropriate access to health services is important to empower me to manage my family’s and my health needs.
Being able to get a second, or even a third opinion is time consuming and can be expensive. Wait times to see a doctor really impacts navigating the health system and managing our own health.
Unless you know — and can afford — health practitioners that instil confidence then it is overwhelming.
Focus on mental health
Tiana Lea, Social Health Programs Manager, QAIHC, and proud Kalkadoon and Undumbi woman, said:
From my perspective, I think one of the main issues that needs more attention, help and support is mental health illness and suicide prevention. It is one of our biggest hurdles we face every day and there is no real mention of this when election time comes around.
There needs to be more money and effort put into resources, help, and support for black people with the struggles of living in our society.
This is very distressing when you see your own mob struggle to get the help they need for their mental health — you have to tick a box to get in to see a doctor then wait for a week or so, just to see a professional to get some help. There is so much more that needs to happen.
It is a very complicated system when it doesn’t have to be, it would be good to see the government actually take the time to sit with people who suffer with this illness, to see what their needs are and how to help properly, to get them to a better place. They are the ones who are suffering and know what’s best for them.
There are so many questions that need answering that go unanswered, so that’s my biggest worry when it comes to election time. There is no discussion of good pathways regarding mental health. There are so many stages to get this right – this is why it’s important to me.
Health equity
Jermane Herbohn, Regional Manager Southern Queensland, QAIHC, and proud Ko-Ro Muluridgji man, with ancestral and cultural connections to Kuku Yalanji, Wakamin, Yidinji, Djirrbal, said:
I think health equity is a critical issue. We need to build the capacity of Indigenous workers in government departments including health, transport, education and environment to help drive real change in the way the government delivers services and funding to Indigenous communities.
Education around the youth is also important. We need to build pathways for the kids to fulfil their dreams and aspirations. I would rather vote for someone who will pave the way for health and education for Indigenous peoples.
Dedicated service
Reece Griffin, Clinical Operations Manager, Carbal Medical Services (Toowoomba and Warwick), and proud Awabakal man, said:
This is what we would like as a commitment from the upcoming state election – Toowoomba requires a dedicated First Nations service to adequately address the needs of its growing First Nations population.
The number of First Nations births in Toowoomba for 2023 is 377, surpassing the 298 births in Logan, which already benefits from its own dedicated service.
This disparity highlights the urgent need for targeted support and resources in Toowoomba to ensure the wellbeing of First Nations families and infants.
A dedicated service would provide essential support, culturally appropriate care, and resources that are tailored to the unique needs of the First Nations community in Toowoomba, promoting better health outcomes and a stronger sense of community.
A commitment to establish this service would signify the government’s dedication to supporting First Nations people and upholding their right to equitable access to healthcare and services.
Access to resources
Jason Fagan, Regional Manager Northern Queensland, QAIHC, and proud Djabugay man, said:
From a Member’s point of view, whatever government gets elected, we would like a continued commitment to health equity, globally through the regions.
Our Members want streamlined funding processes. A lot of funding gets caught up in the administrative side of government.
They also want access to workforce resources around critical positions, such as doctors. It would be good if they could share doctors around the sector where there’s a vacancy or a shortage.
Members also want to have more access to elected MPs at a regional level.
Empower and collaborate
William Blackley, Chairperson of Gidgee Healing (largest single ACCHO provider by land area in Queensland — Mount Isa, Doomadgee, Normanton, and Mornington Island), and a proud Kalkuntunga man from Kalkadoon lands in and around Mount Isa, said:
This election, Gidgee is asking political candidates to:
Champion us
Over the past 18 months Gidgee Healing has made significant improvements to the delivery of healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We have steadily increased the number of 715 health checks in community and have seen a return rate of nearly 80 percent of patients.
Childhood vaccination rates have risen by more than 35 percent across our communities. Recently our Doomadgee and Normanton clinics reached a major milestone, achieving an historic 100 percent completion rate for patients receiving Bicillin injections (the treatment for rheumatic heart disease).
We call on government to advocate for Gidgee Healing and the communities we serve, acknowledging the need for continued improvement and better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples everywhere.
Build the local workforce
We need to build and strengthen our local workforce and provide leadership and advocacy to find new solutions. We are proud that 75 percent of our workforce is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, but we welcome government initiatives to help build this capacity within our local communities.
Raise awareness of key health issues
Every health issue matters, but some need special attention. For our communities, at present, the key health issues are:
- diabetes
- rheumatic heart disease
- mental health
- oral health
- eye health
We need government to understand these key issues, to work with us, and help share information to build awareness around prevention and treatment.
Collaborate with us
Ensuring that our communities can easily access specialist care without needing to travel to major cities is a challenge.
We call on government to work collaboratively with us to find ways to provide streamlined access to necessary care closer to home.
Overall, Gidgee Healing hopes that government will understand our priorities and our communities and will work with us to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
More from Croakey on the 2024 Queensland election
Experts call for the end of “tough on crime” electioneering, by Alison Barrettmater
Miles better? Major health issues at stake in Queensland’s election, by Marie McInerney
See Croakey’s archive of articles on the Aboriginal community controlled sector
