AHCSA Priorities for the 2025 Federal Election: A Call to Action for Aboriginal Health

As the 2025 Australian Federal Election approaches on Saturday 3 May, AHCSA and our members are calling for political leaders to step up and make real, lasting commitments to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

This election offers a significant opportunity for both current and future governments to take action to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These priorities have been identified with our Member services.

Our Key Election Priorities:

Targeted funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations

1. A needs-based funding package which includes an increase to the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme for ACCHOs
2. Increase funding for capital works and infrastructure upgrades for ACCHO services
3. Funding to support a transition to community-control from mainstream services

Funding support for critical programs

1. Direct actions to address medication shortages and improve access to medication and pharmacists in ACCHOs, particularly those in remote areas
2. Direct funding for pharmaceutical smoking cessation support
3. Fund ACCHOs to deliver dental services and allocate dental health funding to cover costs associated with workforce development, staffing and infrastructure requirements

Policy and Strategy

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap has committed all Government departments to tangible actions giving effect to the four priority reforms. Despite this, key targets have failed to be met. Without genuine commitment to shared decision making with Aboriginal communities, governments will continue to make investments that do not deliver effective outcomes.

To support the current priority areas there needs to be:

• Shared decision-making with Aboriginal communities, enabling Aboriginal people to define priorities and develop solutions to address the identified needs
• Governance structures that guarantee the ACCHO sector a seat at the table and a significant role in shaping health service planning, funding, delivery and reform
• Government commitment to ensure cultural safety measures are embedded across the whole health system to address racism, and:
• Aboriginal leadership at every table.

Broader investment in Community health and wellbeing

• Community Infrastructure grants
• Housing and hardware upgrades
• Youth justice and detention reforms
• Community development programs
• Food Security reforms – commitment and investment to the seven pillars under the National Food Security Strategy.

Together, let’s make 2025 a turning point for better health outcomes for our mob.