Hands on Health Australia (HOHA) recognises Sunday (9 August) as United Nations’ International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples.

HOHA CEO Franca Smarrelli said today that disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were a significant part of the charity’s cohort of clients.

“Today can serve as an important reminder to every one of the importance of ‘respect’ in our community and the need for a ‘refresh’ on Closing the Gap agenda in Australia,” she said.

“It can also service as a reminder to engage with the Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion, to provide feedback on future directions for Closing the Gap.

“We all want better outcomes for indigenous people. The United Nations’ day should be another catalyst for positive change to occur to bring about a better and respectful community in Australia for all its peoples.”

HoHA media statement can be viewed here.

Minister Scullion’s press release is available at https://ministers.pmc.gov.au/scullion/2017/public-discussion-paper-closing-gap-released

The Closing the Gap public consultation website is at https://closingthegaprefresh.pmc.gov.au/