Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian government has set a target to close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians within a generation. Achieving this goal will of course not be easy. That is why the government is investing $800 million over the next five years as part of a $1.6 billion national partnership on Indigenous health. This funding will deliver more health professionals to Indigenous communities, expand health services and help tackle key risk factors like chronic disease and smoking. Chronic disease is the largest contributor to the current life expectancy gap. About $470 million will be provided to improve chronic disease management. That includes incentives and support for general practice to manage the coordination of care of Indigenous patients, additional support for Indigenous patients with chronic diseases who access specialist and allied healthcare services and the expansion of the Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program. (Time expired)