Patricia Karvelas; 6/1/09; (2 Items)
Aborigines in remote communities should be forced to grow fruit and vegetables as part of their work-for-the-dole activities, an indigenous leader says. Indigenous Land Corporation chairwoman Shirley McPherson has written to Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin arguing that the requirement should be a central part of the income support system to create healthier lifestyles in remote Australia. There were 75 remote work-for-the-dole schemes – or Community Development Employment Projects – across Australia, yet only 15 listed any form of horticultural activity, Ms McPherson told The Australian. While the Government is reforming CDEP, people in remote communities will continue to work for the dole on base unemployment benefits, carrying out tasks including local improvements, market gardens and land management.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24876729-2702,00.html
Call for indigenous health worker college
Adam Cresswell; 6/1/09
Efforts to improve Australia’s woeful record on Aboriginal health are being held back by poor co-ordination, and greater strides could be made by setting up a national college bringing together medical, nursing and other professionals. Under a plan put forward by a Darwin psychiatrist, the national college of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health would for the first time take charge of the credentialling, education and championing of Aboriginal health workers, who work in many communities in a variety of nursing and paramedical roles. But the proposed body would also encompass all others working to improve the health of indigenous people – including those with experience rather than formal qualifications. Among the college’s key roles would be the setting of standards and ethics codes, establishment of training programs, defending its members’ interests, conducting research and advising governments and policy institutes.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24876728-5013404,00.html
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, health
why reinvent the wheel? why not gather all those already doing excellent training in indig health and invite a co-operartive where training is world-best and consistent… places like Griffith uni, Curtain and the Indigenous Primary Health Care course running through Southern Qld and Sunshine Coast TAFEs are really impressive. there are those out there working towards better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, sometimes we can’t get out of our own way to report only news about how ATSI people need help, not what as a people is being done to advance circumstances and situations.