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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 6 Hansard (22 June) . . Page.. 1657 ..

(4) Aboriginality data is collected by ACT drug and alcohol services but estimates of the extent to which ATSI people access mainstream alcohol and drug services are unreliable because of the inconsistent data collection systems that are used by agencies. This is an issue for the whole of Australia and the Australian Health Minister's Advisory Council has identified the collection of adequate and consistent data as a key priority for Aboriginal health. The ACT Aboriginal Health forum has recently met to identify practical ways to improve the collection of data in the ACT and this issue will continue to be addressed by the Department in its service contract negotiations. It can be estimated that, while more than 90% of clients of ATSI targeted services are indigenous Australians, the rate is much lower for mainstream alcohol and drug services and is generally under 10% of all clients.

(5) The consultations on the draft ATSI health strategic plan has sought the views of ACT ATSI people on the quality of alcohol and drug services in the ACT as well as their ability to access mainstream alcohol and drug services. Specifically, consultations with ATSI people and their organisations have included to date: a questionnaire distributed to ATSI communities; community consultations at the Aboriginal Youth Health Forum; information from The Canberra Hospital ATSI Health Forum; community consultations held with the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community; and ongoing consultations with the ACT Indigenous Health Forum, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, Gugan Gulwan Aboriginal Youth Centre, The Canberra Hospital Aboriginal Liaison Officers.

In addition, the 1998 review of Gugan Gulwan Aboriginal Youth Service sought input from community organisations on the effectiveness and quality of services that Gugan Gulwan provides for young ATSI people. I would be happy to supply you with a copy of the outcomes of that review if you wish.

On an ongoing basis, the ACT Indigenous Health forum is the primary consultative mechanism for the Department in determining the adequacy of all health services for ATSI people in the ACT.

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