Improving access to services for Indigenous Australians

The Australian Government has partnered with two Queensland community organisations to launch a new campaign aimed at breaking down the barriers Indigenous people can face when trying to access community services.

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and Senator for Queensland, Mark Furner, said the Access All Areas campaign would improve access to services for Indigenous people in south east Queensland and encourage service providers to extend their reach to Indigenous clients.

The $150,000 campaign was launched by Senator Furner in Brisbane today.

Ms Macklin said a key focus of the campaign was supporting Indigenous people to access more information about the services available across south east Queensland.

“One of the key barriers preventing access to services is a lack of information on what services are available and how to go about accessing these services,” Ms Macklin said.

“Through this campaign, Indigenous people will be better informed about the many services that are available to them, including health, housing, education, employment and training services, as well as early childhood development.”

A key component of the campaign is a website which includes a service directory and information for Indigenous Australians on how to access services. Other campaign activities include an art competition and radio advertising.

In addition, the Urban Ambassadors Program, which features well-known Indigenous Australians telling their stories, will also encourage greater Indigenous access to services.

Senator Furner said the campaign would also focus on improving the way service providers worked together to better support Indigenous Australians.

“A key part of this campaign is about bringing together service providers and other partners to improve the coordination and range of services that are available to Indigenous Australians,” Senator Furner said.

“Better awareness by service providers of the needs of Indigenous Australians will not only improve the service they provide, it will also promote greater use by Indigenous clients.

“Tackling service access and delivery issues is key to improving outcomes for Indigenous Australians and closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.”

Access All Areas was developed by the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Services Coalition and the Queensland Council of Social Services with funding from the Australian Government.

This campaign is an initiative in Queensland under the National Urban and Regional Service Delivery Strategy for Indigenous Australians agreed by the Council of Australian Governments in July 2009.