NACCHO Media Release: NACCHO Welcomes Ministerial Appointments and Reaffirms Commitment to Closing the Gap
16 May 2025
NACCHO Media Release: NACCHO Welcomes Ministerial Appointments and Reaffirms Commitment to Closing the Gap
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) congratulates Senator, the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy on her continued leadership as Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Mark Butler MP on his appointment as Minister for Health and Ageing and his additional responsibility as Minister for Disability and the NDIS, the Hon Emma McBride MP on her reappointment as Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, and the Hon Rebecca White MP on her new federal roles as Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, and Assistant Minister for Women. Additionally, we congratulate the Hon Marion Scrymgour MP on her appointment as Special Envoy for Remote Communities.
These ministerial appointments come at a crucial time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and NACCHO looks forward to enhanced collaboration with the Australian Government to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Pat Turner AM, CEO of NACCHO, said:
“NACCHO congratulates all Ministers on their appointments and looks forward to collaborating closely on policies and initiatives that directly benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As Prime Minister Albanese has emphasised, ‘We will be a government that supports reconciliation with First Nations people, because we will be a stronger nation when we close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.’ NACCHO remains committed to working in partnership with the government to ensure health programs and services effectively meet the needs and aspirations of our communities.”
Ms Turner added, “Closing the Gap requires a united, whole-of-government approach, and these appointments represent an encouraging step toward achieving meaningful, sustainable improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.”
