Policies

ACT

Preferred Terminology for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

ACT Health acknowledges the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander cultures, languages, kinship structures and ways of life including the distinct cultural identities retained by the people irrelevant of whether they live in urban, regional or remote areas of Australia. It is important that this respect for culture is reflected in the way we communicate. Therefore, for your guidance, the preferred terminology to be used when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is:

'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander' -Meaning: when referring to both races of peoples. Usage: to be used when referring to both peoples.

'Aboriginal' - Meaning: of the Aboriginal race of Australia. Usage: to be used when specifically identifying one of the two races.

Use of Capitals - Usage: Terms such as 'Aboriginal' and 'Torres Strait Islander' should always be written in capitals.

'Ngunnawal' - Meaning: Historically identified as the traditional custodians, or original people of the ACT and surrounding region.

Inappropriate terminology that must not be used

'Indigenous' - Meaning: this term has evolved through international law and has been identified as inappropriate when referring to the domestic Australian context.

'ATSI', 'TSI' abbreviations are not to be used.

'Aborigine' - Meaning: generic term for the original inhabitant of any country. Usage: not to be used because of its negative connotations;

ACT Government Policy - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols
The ACT Government recognises the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the ACT and surrounding region.

The Government's policy also refers to 'Welcome to Country' where all public speeches by representatives of the ACT Government include an acknowledgement of the traditional custodians. When planning and official event, agencies should consult with the United Ngunnawal Elders Council by contacting the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs on 620-70555.

ACT Boards and Committees should seek to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander membership where appropriate. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body may be consulted to assist with wider representation. Contact details can be obtained from the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs on 6207 0555.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tobacco Control Strategy, 2010/11 - 2013/14

The Strategy aims to improve the health of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through improved tobacco control measures.

Specifically, the Strategy aims to:

• Prevent people taking up smoking;
• Increase access to assisted tobacco control initiatives; and
• Reduce rates of smoking and increase quit attempts (assisted and unassisted);
  
• Increase access to assisted tobacco control initiatives; and
  
• Increase levels of understanding and awareness of health issues surrounding smoking.

A Guide to care for those with a terminal condition: Honouring the choices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT community, 2006

This booklet is for those who are assisting a person living with a terminal condition, and
who is no longer responding to a cure. The booklet outlines what to expect with palliative
care, identifies some roles and responsibilities in the palliative care process and outlines
steps you can take to access palliative care in the ACT.

This booklet is a guide on how to care for those with a terminal condition, by honouring their choices. It is primarily for the information of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT community.

A New Way - The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Family Wellbeing Plan, 2006-2011

A New Way marks a commitment by all parties to work collaboratively to develop and implement innovative solutions that deliver measurable and meaningful change in the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the ACT. There is ample evidence internationally that significant and lasting progress can be made. What is also evident is that such changes do not come without a price tag, both in terms of significant investment of resources, but also in terms of willingness on the part of all stakeholders to find new ways of doing business.

This plan aligns agreed action with strategic vision, within the context of a set of shared principles that will create momentum and achieve the results we all desire, in areas we all think are important, and in ways we can all embrace.

COAG NPA on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Development, 2009-2014

Key priority areas include:
*Element 2: Antenatal care, pre-pregnancy and teenage sexual and reproductive health; and
*Element 3: Increase access to and use of maternal and child health services by Indigenous families

COAG NPA on Closing the Gap: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Outcomes, 2009-2013

Key priority areas include:
*Tackling Smoking;
*Primary health care services that can deliver;
*Fixing the gaps and improving the patient journey;
*Healthy transition to adulthood; and
*Making Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health everyone's business

Identification

Health Directorate has committed to four initiatives to improve quality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identification in key vitals and administrative data sets. One of these initiatives is to develop an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identifier.

Another is to develop a specific information and awareness program to support and encourage health workers to identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients to identify.

National

Closing the Gap: Indigenous Health Campaign

The campaign comes in response to a call from the Social Justice Commissioner to achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within 25 years.

Link: Closing the Gap Indigenous Health Campaign

National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, 2003-2013

This document has been endorsed as a plan to guide all Australian governments in a coordinated, collabortative and multi-sectoral approach to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health over the next ten years. It has been endorsed through each government's cabinet process, providing a whole-of-government commitment to its implementation in each State and Territory and at the Commonwealth level.

Whilst it is appropriate that health ministers and health departments take the lead in realising its objectives, areas of action within the portfolio responsibilties of other ministers and departments will be appropriately referred and joint actions taken where required.