New Partnership for Healthy Futures

A $150,000 Palaszczuk Government partnership with one of Queensland’s largest Indigenous-controlled health organisations is helping to Close the Gap of disadvantage on National Close the Gap Day. 

Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Mark Furner today signed a significant agreement with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH). 

“The Memorandum of Understanding on National Close the Gap Day is expected to deliver new school-based traineeship opportunities, employment opportunities and better health outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders,” Mr Furner said. 

“Up to $150,000 in funding over two years will be delivered to the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health to encourage and prepare more Indigenous Queenslanders to take up careers in health care. 

“It gives Indigenous healthcare workers an unrivalled opportunity to make a positive contribution to the lives and health outcomes of family, friends and entire communities.     

“The initiative highlights the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to working in partnership with industry, enabling community-led solutions and resourcing on-the-ground initiatives to help Close the Gap on education, life expectancy, employment and economic participation. 

“Signing today’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute is an important reminder that Closing the Gap isn’t something that can be achieved in isolation; it’s a collective initiative across communities, across industries and across the nation. 

“We must work together for results.”  

Institute for Urban and Indigenous Health Chief Executive Officer Adrian Carson said the new partnership would strengthen the organisation’s commitment to Indigenous Queenslanders. 

“With almost 500 Indigenous employees, the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and its four founding member organisations, Brisbane ATSICHS, Kambu Corporation for Health, Yulu-Burri-Ba, Kalwun Health is the biggest employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the South East Queensland Region,” Mr Carson said. 

“As a national leader in Indigenous healthcare service and employment, the Institute for Urban and Indigenous Health is perfectly positioned to generate meaningful outcomes in health, employment and economic participation. 

“Quality of health is directly related to quality of life — all sectors must work together to help Indigenous Queenslanders live healthier, happier and longer lives. 

Key MoU features include: 

• Supporting 10-school based trainees per year
• Creating pathways to increase numbers of Indigenous trainees
• Delivering post-traineeship placement and employment programs
• Increasing retention rate of post-traineeship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
• Assisting IUIH to develop and deliver South East Queensland trainee models aimed at increasing the number of school-based traineeships
• Assisting IUIH to develop its Procurement Strategy and Evaluation Framework.

The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health leads the planning, development and delivery of comprehensive primary healthcare services to the Indigenous population of South East Queensland. 

Media Contact: 0475 950 772