Latest news with #non-IndigenousAustralians
7NEWS
08-08-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Babies dying from syphilis in Australia ‘of national significance'
Syphilis has officially been declared a 'communicable disease incident of national significance'. Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd made the declaration following record notifications of infectious syphilis and a growing number of preventable congenital syphilis cases resulting in infant deaths. It is a sobering reminder of the health inequities facing rural, remote, and First Nations communities, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) said. The crisis reflects long-standing gaps in access to timely testing, treatment, and antenatal care, despite syphilis being entirely preventable and treatable, ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin said. 'In many rural and remote communities, the local rural generalist is the only doctor available,' Martin said. 'They provide everything from antenatal care to STI screening and treatment, and they must be supported with the workforce, training, and tools to respond effectively.' From January 1 to August 6, Australia has already recorded 3546 cases of infectious syphilis and 11 cases of congenital syphilis, leading to four infant deaths. In 2024, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians had infectious syphilis rates seven times higher than non-Indigenous Australians. Since 2016, more than half of all congenital syphilis cases have occurred in First Nations babies. One in three affected infants have died. In 2023, there were 6566 cases of infectious syphilis and 20 cases of congenital syphilis reported in Australia, resulting in 10 infant deaths. Between 2016 and 2024, 99 cases of congenital syphilis were reported. Of these children, 33 infants died. More than half were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants. 'Every one of those deaths is a tragedy,' Martin said 'We know syphilis often presents without symptoms, but with early testing and treatment, congenital syphilis is entirely preventable.' CRRM continues to work to strengthen culturally safe care and grow a skilled rural generalist workforce, Martin said. To help support rural generalists in delivering high-quality sexual health care, ACRRM has launched a new STI and HIV Care course. The course is designed to give doctors the skills and confidence to conduct evidence-based STI and HIV consultations, assess risk, and manage follow-up care, with content applicable to practice nationwide. 'We're committed to giving rural generalists the tools they need to care for their communities because that's what ultimately saves lives,' Martin said. He urged all Australians who are sexually active, especially those planning for a baby, to get a sexual health check. 'Testing is simple, treatment is effective, and awareness is essential to preventing serious outcomes — including a perinatal death rate of up to 30 per cent.'
Sydney Morning Herald
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
New powers, greater role for peak Aboriginal body in Victoria
In this series, we examine the work of Victoria's Yoorrook Justice Commission, a public inquiry into the impact of colonisation on Indigenous Victorians. See all 53 stories. Victoria's peak Aboriginal body, the First Peoples' Assembly, would be given a direct line to ministers and the power to make appointments to government boards under legislation being developed through the state's treaty negotiations. The assembly would also be given oversight over programs and policies designed to close the gap in life expectancy and living standards between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Ministers and government departments would be required to consult with the assembly on any laws or policies 'specifically directed' to Indigenous Victorians, and the assembly would have the authority to question ministers and provide advice to them. The proposed reform, which would make the assembly a statutory corporation and bring it under the power of Victoria's public sector anti-corruption watchdog, IBAC, would satisfy one of the key recommendations within the Yoorrook Justice Commission's final reports tabled this week in parliament. The commission recommended the state government negotiate with First Peoples to establish a permanent, First Peoples' representative body 'with powers at all levels of political and policy decision making'. Loading The commission found that exclusion from processes of government was one of the historic and ongoing injustices inflicted upon Victoria's Indigenous people since colonisation. 'As shown in the evidence to Yoorrook, any inclusion of First Peoples in the State political life is limited, circumscribed and reliant on the continuation of political goodwill,' the commission noted. 'Numerous witnesses to Yoorrook submitted that the State continues to make government policy and laws for First Peoples, rather than with or by First Peoples. Government policy decision making continues to largely disregard the voices of First Peoples Elders, organisations and communities.'
The Age
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
New powers, greater role for peak Aboriginal body in Victoria
In this series, we examine the work of Victoria's Yoorrook Justice Commission, a public inquiry into the impact of colonisation on Indigenous Victorians. See all 53 stories. Victoria's peak Aboriginal body, the First Peoples' Assembly, would be given a direct line to ministers and the power to make appointments to government boards under legislation being developed through the state's treaty negotiations. The assembly would also be given oversight over programs and policies designed to close the gap in life expectancy and living standards between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Ministers and government departments would be required to consult with the assembly on any laws or policies 'specifically directed' to Indigenous Victorians, and the assembly would have the authority to question ministers and provide advice to them. The proposed reform, which would make the assembly a statutory corporation and bring it under the power of Victoria's public sector anti-corruption watchdog, IBAC, would satisfy one of the key recommendations within the Yoorrook Justice Commission's final reports tabled this week in parliament. The commission recommended the state government negotiate with First Peoples to establish a permanent, First Peoples' representative body 'with powers at all levels of political and policy decision making'. Loading The commission found that exclusion from processes of government was one of the historic and ongoing injustices inflicted upon Victoria's Indigenous people since colonisation. 'As shown in the evidence to Yoorrook, any inclusion of First Peoples in the State political life is limited, circumscribed and reliant on the continuation of political goodwill,' the commission noted. 'Numerous witnesses to Yoorrook submitted that the State continues to make government policy and laws for First Peoples, rather than with or by First Peoples. Government policy decision making continues to largely disregard the voices of First Peoples Elders, organisations and communities.'
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘You just bow down': What happened when ABC's Bridget Brennan met her childhood idol
ABC News Breakfast host Bridget Brennan had never met her childhood idol, Ernie Dingo, until a script-reading for That Blackfella Show, a 'cheeky, very Blak' hour of variety entertainment the pair is hosting for NAIDOC Week. The Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta woman, who was inspired to pursue a career in journalism by Dingo, along with Stan and Karla Grant, was starstruck. 'Any kid from the '90s grew up watching Ernie Dingo. He's the guy!' says Brennan. 'You forget how much of a sole voice he was for so many years. The path that he has paved for young Aboriginal people is incredible. I mean, you just bow down to Ernie. He's so funny. And he's got so many amazing stories. He lifts the whole team.' Sharing hosting duties is musician and comedian Isaac Compton, a Munanjali, Minjungbul and Wiradjuri man and winner of Nine's reality adventure competition, The Summit. 'I've shed tears of laughter watching Isaac's comedy online,' says Brennan. 'He's so grounded in Community. And he brings those Black in-jokes to a wider audience via TikTok and Instagram. His commentary is so sharp, but he's also a warm, beautiful performer.' The First Nations line-up includes comedians Steph Tisdell, Dane Simpson, Kevin Kropinyeri and Outback Tom; rappers Barkaa and Miss Kaninna; all-female rock band the Ripple Effect; and Eurovision contestants Electric Fields. Two non-Indigenous performers also appear – Jimmy Barnes, and former Bachelor contestant Abbie Chatfield. 'People will be surprised when they see their cameos' says Brennan. 'I think it's great because there are a lot of non-Indigenous Australians with profound, deep connections to Aboriginal Australians. So many non-Indigenous Australians celebrate NAIDOC. It's for everyone.' A team of First Nations people is also working behind the scenes.
The Age
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘You just bow down': What happened when ABC's Bridget Brennan met her childhood idol
ABC News Breakfast host Bridget Brennan had never met her childhood idol, Ernie Dingo, until a script-reading for That Blackfella Show, a 'cheeky, very Blak' hour of variety entertainment the pair is hosting for NAIDOC Week. The Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta woman, who was inspired to pursue a career in journalism by Dingo, along with Stan and Karla Grant, was starstruck. 'Any kid from the '90s grew up watching Ernie Dingo. He's the guy!' says Brennan. 'You forget how much of a sole voice he was for so many years. The path that he has paved for young Aboriginal people is incredible. I mean, you just bow down to Ernie. He's so funny. And he's got so many amazing stories. He lifts the whole team.' Sharing hosting duties is musician and comedian Isaac Compton, a Munanjali, Minjungbul and Wiradjuri man and winner of Nine's reality adventure competition, The Summit. 'I've shed tears of laughter watching Isaac's comedy online,' says Brennan. 'He's so grounded in Community. And he brings those Black in-jokes to a wider audience via TikTok and Instagram. His commentary is so sharp, but he's also a warm, beautiful performer.' The First Nations line-up includes comedians Steph Tisdell, Dane Simpson, Kevin Kropinyeri and Outback Tom; rappers Barkaa and Miss Kaninna; all-female rock band the Ripple Effect; and Eurovision contestants Electric Fields. Two non-Indigenous performers also appear – Jimmy Barnes, and former Bachelor contestant Abbie Chatfield. 'People will be surprised when they see their cameos' says Brennan. 'I think it's great because there are a lot of non-Indigenous Australians with profound, deep connections to Aboriginal Australians. So many non-Indigenous Australians celebrate NAIDOC. It's for everyone.' A team of First Nations people is also working behind the scenes.
