Professor Clare Nourse AM
As a doctor, paediatrician and infection specialist I am unequivocally voting YES to having a Voice to Parliament. First Nations people’s health and wellbeing should be one of the top priorities not only for our government but for each of us individual Australians. First Nations peoples have suffered immeasurably following colonisation, forced assimilation and denial of culture. We need to do whatever we can to redress these wrongs.
I have witnessed firsthand the disproportionate frequency and severity of common infections in First Nations peoples and their children.
Rheumatic Heart Disease, a preventable and devastating consequence of an infection has the highest rates in the world among our First Nations children- sixty times higher than in non-First Nations children.
Ear infections, skin infection, pneumonia and many other chronic health issues affect First Nations peoples much more than non- First Nations. Being a First Nations person is associated with preventable early death, chronic infection and disease and poor mental health.
It is vital that a First Nations voice is established to guide parliament about how best to address this. Many poor health outcomes are related to social and cultural determinants of health. The Voice will enable First Nations peoples to advise on issues of social and cultural public policy which will in turn help to close the gaps in health.
As a health professional in Australia I have no doubt whatsoever about the crucial importance of voting YES.