AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said that today’s Indigenous Health policy announcements by Labor are a good start to a much-needed, strongly-funded, long-term strategy to close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

Dr Bartone said that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the right to enjoy the same level of good health that is experienced by other Australians.

AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said tonight that the Government’s Budget announcements have set up a genuine health policy competition for the upcoming election.

“The Health Minister, Greg Hunt, has listened closely to the AMA and delivered a strong Health Budget, with a particular emphasis on primary care, led by general practice,” Dr Bartone said.

CLOSING THE GAP PROGESS DISAPPOINTING

The 11^th annual Closing the Gap statement highlights the urgent need to adopt the recommendations of the Close the Gap (CTG) Campaign to address the unacceptable gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

“The AMA is very disappointed that just two of the seven goals are on track. This is one fewer than last year,” AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said today.

AMA Indigenous Health Report Card 2018 – Rebuilding the Closing the Gap Health Strategy

The Closing the Gap Strategy is unravelling, and must be rebuilt from the ground up to have any chance of closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said today.

Dr Bartone today launched the AMA Indigenous Health Report Card 2018, the AMA’s annual analysis of an area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health across the nation.

Transcript:   AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, ABC News, Breakfast with Virginia Trioli, Thursday, 22 November 2018

Subject:  AMA’s Indigenous Report Card and Closing the Gap on Indigenous Health

Transcript:   AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, 6PR, Drive with Oliver Peterson,
Wednesday, 26 September 2018.

Subject:   New Prime Minister, Aged care, Indigenous health, Euthanasia, E-cigarettes.

OLIVER PETERSON:   Joining me live in the studio is the new National President of the AMA - his first visit to Perth as the National President of the Australian Medical Association.

Doctor Tony Bartone, welcome to Perth.

The AMA Federal Council has endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for a First Nations’ voice in the Australian Constitution.

AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said today that the AMA has for many years supported Indigenous recognition in the Australian Constitution, and that the Uluru Statement is another significant step in making that recognition a reality.

“The Uluru Statement expresses the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in regard to self-determination and status in their own country,” Dr Bartone said.