Sharing power to achieve lasting change
A central pillar of the 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap is formal partnership, shared power and decision-making with First Nations peoples.
The Chief First Nations Health Officer has developed a key partnership with QAIHC, the peak body for Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisations. This partnership forms the foundation for joint work bringing forward First Nations perspectives, both inside and outside government, and sharing decision-making through joint policies and priorities.
‘True partnership is about shared power. It’s great to have a good relationship and it’s great to work together as service providers but change can only happen when power is transferred.’
Angela Young
Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement,
Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
At a national level, QAIHC works with Queensland Health to drive reforms through the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Collaboration, including National Health Reform Agreement negotiations.
Co-designing reforms with QAIHC has been instrumental in ensuring Queensland First Nations perspectives are strategically represented at the national level.