PHN continues its commitment to reconciliation

This year, our PHN continued its commitment to closing the gap and ensuring culturally safe and accessible care is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to support their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

This December, our PHN’s Reconciliation Action Plan working group (RAP) hosted a screening of Netflix’s The Final Quarter. The documentary re-examined the divisive incidents which marked the final years of AFL footballer Adam Goodes' career. Staff agreed that Goodes’ experience was a shameful indictment on Australian society and found the uncomfortable watch to be a representation of the significant work still to be done in closing the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

The event also gave an opportunity for staff to reflect on our recent Cultural Awareness Training and our reconciliation journey throughout the year. The training, which was facilitated by the University of Southern Queensland, provided staff with invaluable knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and contemporary realities, as well as an awareness of cultural protocols. This enhanced awareness will support staff to engage and work effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and community members to help close the gap.

The PHN looks forward to continuing to work with our key partners in 2023 with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy 2021-2025 in focus for closing the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community.