Historical Impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

MY HISTORY
• I am Phoebe Smith.
• I am an international student.
• During my high-school, I used to play rugby
• I had played some matches in Gold-coast of
Queensland, Australia.
• I interacted with the Aboriginal people during the
Rugby matches I played with the Murri Community.

UNDERSTANDING
My understanding was formed from the communication I have done
with the people of Murri community when I was residing there for
rugby matches. Further, Brad a good friend of mine with whom I used
to play rugby with is so close to me. He helped me in gaining
understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Islander culture. This
knowledge which I gained from Brad changed my perspectives in a
positive manner for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. I
observed that like rest Australians they also possess right to get equal
opportunities for receiving health services and cultural safety.

HISTORICAL IMPACTS
The need for the constitutional reform for the aboriginal community is
required to enrich the identity of the nation and to protect the rights of all
the Australians. Further, this need is necessary for advancing the
reconciliation. The history of the Australian constitution changes is wider
in context to the changes associated with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

SOME REFORMS
 Some important constitutional changes relevant to the indigenous
people are as follows:
 1948: Tag of Australian Citizen was granted.
 1962: The commonwealth electoral act to give vote to all aboriginal
and Torres strait islander people.
 1967: Counting of the indigenous people in the national census.
 1991: The council for the Aboriginal reconciliation is established.
 2006: The "Close the gap" campaign to achieve equality in health
and life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
 2008: Apology of the present prime minister from the stolen
generation on behalf of Australian government and people.

"Close the gap"
The ways in which one can close the gap involves:
• By committing to the government and other major political parties to take actions
by signing the formal statement of intent.
• Providing additional funds for the betterment of the indigenous people to the
COAG.
• By having an intention to work with the NGOs and other organisation which are
working for providing health support to the indigenous people.
• By enhancing the meaning partnership between the indigenous and non-
indigenous communities to amplify the health services.
• The implementation of health support plan for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people.
• Controlled health services for the Aboriginal community.
• Proper way to address the critical social issues that impact on the indigenous
health.