Archived Media Releases: 11 July 2007
Australian Nursing Federation affirms commitment to reconciliation
In a Statement of Commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Australians, the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) has pledged to work with Indigenous Australians and Reconciliation Australia to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan.
The ANF has chosen to make public its commitment in NAIDOC week, a week of national celebrations of Indigenous culture and the contribution of Indigenous people to modern Australia.
In the Statement, the Australian Nursing Federation has announced its intention for its Reconciliation Action Plan to become an integral part of ANF’s organisational strategic plans to affirm its ongoing commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan was an important way for organisations and non-Indigenous Australians to address past injustices and establish positive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work for change.
“We urge other organisations and other unions to also consider developing Reconciliation Action Plans as long term, action oriented, measurable plans aimed at closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.”
In the Statement of Commitment available on the Reconciliation Australia website www.reconciliation.org.au the ANF acknowledges that as a result of colonisation, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffer severe disadvantage.
The Statement continues: “The ANF is committed to working to address the inequalities experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, recognising their view of health encompasses the environmental, social, emotional, spiritual, and cultural wellbeing of the whole community.”
Welcoming the ANF commitment to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan, Reconciliation Australia Co-Chair Jackie Huggins said once we have a critical mass of plans, it will be clear to every Australian what they can do to close the 17 year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
“Response by organisations like the ANF shows that Australians are well and truly ready to take concrete action and be held accountable for making real, measurable progress in achieving reconciliation.”
The ANF will complete and launch its Reconciliation Action Plan later this year.
Media Contacts
Fiona Armstrong, Federal Professional Officer 0438 900 005
Jill Iliffe, Federal Secretary 0419 576 590
Ged Kearney, Assistant Federal Secretary, 0417 053 322
The ANF, representing 150,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia