Date: 2008-05-16
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A plan to help shape the delivery of better services to Aboriginal Victorians has been unveiled today by the Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Community Services, Lisa Neville. Launching the Aboriginal Services Plan 2008-2010, Ms Neville said it was a commitment to work together with Aboriginal Victorians to help bridge the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
(Media-Newswire.com) - A plan to help shape the delivery of better services to Aboriginal Victorians has been unveiled today by the Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Community Services, Lisa Neville.
Launching the Aboriginal Services Plan 2008-2010, Ms Neville said it was a commitment to work together with Aboriginal Victorians to help bridge the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
The plan will be applied throughout the Department of Human Services and across a range of areas including health, mental health, drug and alcohol, aged care, disability, housing and children’s, youth and family services.
“Making a measurable difference for Aboriginal Victorians remains a focus of the Brumby Government,” Ms Neville said.
“The Department of Human Services held comprehensive talks with the Victorian Aboriginal community to ensure services and strategies were responsive to their needs. This plan will go a long way towards shaping how these needs are met.”
Ms Neville said some of the plan’s key commitments included:
· Contributing to the whole of Government commitment to close the 17 year gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people within a generation
· Maintaining a focus on improving the physical, mental and spiritual health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people.
· Working with Aboriginal organisations to develop programs and policies that help Aboriginal individuals, families and communities.
· Respecting and strengthening culture and identity in any action taken to address Aboriginal disadvantage.
· Further implementation of the Positioning Aboriginal Services for the Future project for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
· Following through on the Improving Funding, Improving Outcomes project to streamline funding and reporting requirements for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
“Feedback gathered throughout consultation for the 2008-2010 plan suggests the new plan better reflects community priorities and how this government will work to achieve them,” Ms Neville said.
“This is a shared commitment between the Brumby Government and aboriginal communities and organisations in Victoria to deliver better services and work together to improve conditions for Aboriginal Victorians.”
Aboriginal organisations that have agreed to be signatories to the Aboriginal Services Plan 2008-2010 include the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited and Aboriginal Housing Victoria.
The plan is also supported by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Richard Wynne and the Minister for Health Daniel Andrews