Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

The health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians is a key priority for this government as we recognise that many factors intersect to produce poor health and poor life expectancy for Indigenous people. That is why we are taking a new approach to Indigenous disadvantage, moving most of the responsibility for Indigenous programs into the Prime Minister's own department with some health policy and service delivery remaining with me.

This approach will ensure Indigenous affairs has the full focus of the Prime Minister and across-government implementation. The Prime Minister has also appointed a Minister for Indigenous Affairs—my very good colleague Senator Nigel Scullion—at cabinet level, reflecting this government's commitment to making real improvements to the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.

We will endeavour to break the cycle of disadvantage by working closely with the states and territories, Indigenous communities and other organisations, including health stakeholders. I look forward to playing a key part in this new approach.