Department of Health

Reforming the system to support Aboriginal self-determination

  • Duration: Length 2:14

  • Transcript

    [Instrumental music plays in the background over opening titles and fades out]

    [Opening title card: Victoria State Government]

    [Second title card: 'Aboriginal self-determination seminars 2016'] ]

    [Third title card : 'Reforming the system to support Aboriginal self-determination']

    Male narrator: ANDREW JACKOMOS: Great work has happened with the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, a great beacon in our community but we weren't having that self-determining conversation across the state with Aboriginal communities and their representative organisations, and this is fundamental to self-determination.

    [Onscreen, animation entitled: 'Andrew Jackomos PSM, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People']

    Female Narrator LARISSA BEHRENDT: One of the things that we see in our work around the country around aspirations for self-determination is that many Indigenous people see probably the right level of self-governance for them at the regional level - it's not local, it's not state-based, it's not national but it's regional.

    [Onscreen, animation entitled: 'Director of Research, Larissa Behrendt, Professor of Indigenous Research at the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology, Sydney']

    Female Narrator MURIEL BAMBLETT: Victoria's model of child welfare is an example of a move towards self-determination in practice. All human rights principles though are abstract concepts which need to be implemented in their local contexts, applied to local needs, applied to local Aboriginal people. We believe a treaty or self-government agreement that binds government, including government departments to certain principles and measures, would give us the legal framework to control our own affairs in child welfare, based on our own agenda, our priorities and our timelines. It is about changing the legislation. It needs to be resourced to be realised and implemented. We need to work with the state government and others who will help us move ahead in our work in our respective arenas, and strengthen our collective action that exemplifies self-determination.

    [Onscreen, animation entitled: 'Professor Muriel Bamblett - CEO of Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency']

    Male narrator ANDREW JACKOMOS: With the Andrews government, come into power with self-determination as a plank in their policy platform is a fundamental shift for thei government as well as any other government in this nation. For me there is a direct linkage between recognition, the treaty and self-determination. Wherever a Koorie come into contact with the justice system we need to be there. We need to be there in a positive manner, from a policy officer, to the prison officers, to inspectorates, our oversite bodies, we need to be there.

    [Instrumental music fades in over the closing titles]

    [Closing title card: :'Aboriginal self-determination seminars 2016']

    [Second closing title card: Victoria State Government]

    [Third closing title card: Authorised by the Department of Health & Huma Services. 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne]

A key to the success of Aboriginal self-determination in Victoria is to reform the whole health and human services system, to improve existing government structures, policies and accountability mechanisms. This video highlights the need to develop new ways of working with Aboriginal communities to enable better health, wellbeing and safety outcomes for Victorian Aboriginal families and communities.

Reviewed 26 November 2019

Health.vic

Was this page helpful?