ANTaR today welcomes the Government ’s commitment to work in
partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and
organisations to develop a national plan to improve health equality.

Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon and Minister for Health
and Ageing, Nicola Roxon announced this morning that the National
Health Leadership Forum (NHLF) is to become the national representative
voice to Governments on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

The National President of ANTaR says Mabo Day is a reminder that improvements are still needed in our Native Title laws and processes.
Dr Peter Lewis said Native Title reform would deliver significant opportunities not only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but also for the wider Australian community.
“Making the system fairer and less onerous, and providing the right for Native Title holders to have genuine control over what happens on their land will deliver practical benefits as well as proper recognition of rights,” Dr Lewis said.
“The recent address by former Prime Minister Paul Keating pointed out some of the flaws and injustices in the current Native Title regime. His is just the latest call for improving fairness in this area.

ANTaR has today congratulated Ms Jody Broun and Mr Les Malezer for their election as co-Chairs of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.

“The National Congress of First Peoples was established to provide a representative voice at the national level for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples around the country. The election of the Co-Chairs is significant as it reflects the principle of self-determination in Aboriginal organisations and affairs.”