Abstract
The high suicide rates in young Aboriginal people in Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in recent years prompted a Coronial Inquiry, which met for several months in 2007 with the Coroner, Alastair Hope, delivering his final report in February 2008. I was called to give evidence to the inquiry because of my Institute's long-standing research and interest in Aboriginal health and well being. It gave me an opportunity to summarise not only our research and that of others here and overseas, but to make the case for major government investment to improve Aboriginal outcomes in Australia more generally. Hence I aim to share with you my "manifesto"!
The frustrating and anguishing thing is that we have known what we need to do for 20 years; the evidence has been around in Royal Commissions, HREOC reports, a myriad of government reports as well as our research papers. How to implement is the major issue. Other countries with Indigenous colonised populations have similar problems but are doing much better than Australia - what can we learn from them? Suicides, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and substance abuse are all outcomes - hence a better understanding of causal pathways to enable effective prevention is crucial to effective long and medium term strategies. But what do we do to help so many damaged kids now? Most deaths in young people are avoidable and we have the knowledge to prevent them. However, Aboriginal human capacity is limited - over 50% of their population is aged under 20 years, over 30% of births are to girls aged under 19 and for each Aboriginal child there is on average only one adult compared with other Australian kids who average three. And many of the Aboriginal adults are sick, mentally ill, in prison or in need of care themselves. This depleted human capability needs to be factored into any service planning which demands Aboriginal participation.
A major and continuing aspect, which has never been appropriately acknowledged or managed, is the effect of the Stolen Generation. Our data document clearly the extent and impacts of the forced removal of children from families and people from land on today's children. I believe that this factor is a major explanation for much of today's dis-ease in Aboriginal populations. The Canadians have set up a major healing initiative some years ago, which we in Australia should consider.
The most sustainable and important recommendation I want to discuss relate to how we enhance an effective Aboriginal workforce as not only does that bring economic power to families, but also raises self esteem and longer term success. I will discuss all these and leave you with a commitment and a sense of hope that we can and must collectively tackle this major human rights issue in Australia.