The Aboriginal health and literacy programs announced today by Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd would be an essential first step in closing the Indigenous life expectancy gap within a generation, according to Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR).

ANTaR National Director, Gary Highland said the Opposition’s proposal built on programs with a proven track record of success.

“Mums and Babies programs being run by Townsville’s Aboriginal and Islander Health Service, Canberra’s Winnunga Nimmityja Aboriginal Health Service and a number of other Aboriginal Medical Services around the country have had spectacular results,” Mr Highland said.

In Townsville, after four years of the program, premature births and babies with low birth weight both dropped. Deaths of babies just before or after birth more than halved.

Winnunga in Canberra has achieved similar results. Between 2004 and 2006, the percentage of babies born with a low birth weight almost halved. In November, last year more than 40 Indigenous babies were born in Canberra and for the first time ever none of them had a low birth weight.

“Programs like these are crucial because Indigenous infant mortality is twice the national average and Aboriginal babies are twice as likely to have a low birth weight – a condition that places major hurdles in front of these children for the rest of their lives,” Mr Highland said.

“What is significant about Kevin Rudd’s announcement is that for the first time enough resources would be provided to ensure that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums and babies in Australia could access life saving programs like those being run in Townsville and Canberra.”

Mr Highland said the literacy programs announced by the Opposition would also save Aboriginal lives.

“Experts like Professor Ken Wyatt tell us that for every year of education you give a young Aboriginal woman you add on average four years to the lives of her children. Literacy means life for Aboriginal children because it’s is essential in ensuring they stay at and succeed in school,” Mr Highland said.

Mr Highland urged the Government to match the Opposition commitment.

“We hope the Government will make a similar commitment to the Opposition because Closing the Gap should be above party politics. No matter who wins this year’s election, Indigenous babies shouldn’t have to continue to die preventable deaths,” he said.

ANTaR is a founding member of the Close the Gap campaign formed to support the call by Indigenous Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma for governments to commit to closing the life expectancy gap within a generation.

Despite Australia’s prosperity, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people still live on average 17 years less than other Australians. Aboriginal babies are twice as likely to die before the age of one than non-Indigenous babies and most Indigenous men do not live long enough to qualify for the old age pension.

In his Annual Report released in February last year, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, urged the Government to close the Indigenous life expectancy gap within a generation. The Government has yet to commit to the deadlines proposed by Commissioner Calma.

Information about the Townsville Mums and Babies program is attached.

Media contact: Gary Highland on 0418 476 940.