On this Close the Gap Day 2019 the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) affirms our commitment to working towards, and ultimately eliminating unfair disparities between the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-indigenous Australians.

ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler says: “The Close the Gap theme of Our Health, Our Voice, and Our Choice fits well with the social justice philosophy of the nursing and midwifery professions. Nurses and midwives recognise their responsibilities for improving the health status and health determinants (education, housing, employment) of all people. We also acknowledge the good work of many in our community to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“The health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is considerably poorer than any other social group in Australia. Indigenous Australians can expect to live at least 10 years less than non-indigenous Australians – and that needs to change.

“The ANMF works closely with our colleagues at the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) to achieve their aim of increasing the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives in the health and aged care workforce.

“The Australian Government needs to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies and commit to revisiting the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Government funding must be directed to ensuring all nurses and midwives are equipped to provide a culturally safe environment responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“The ANMF will continue to raise the awareness of these health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this Federal election year, we are calling on all political leaders to act to ensure the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are heard and that their health care choices are respected.”

Authorised by Annie Butler, ANMF Federal Secretary. 1/365 Queen St, Melbourne.

The ANMF, with over 275,000 members, is the industrial and professional voice for nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing in Australia.

Media contact: Richard Lenarduzzi on 0411 254 390