Aboriginal Health

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:10): I have a question for the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. I am told that immunisation rates for Aboriginal children in South Australia are lower than the rates for non-Aboriginal children. Could the minister tell the chamber about the current statistics detailing improvements in vaccination rates among Aboriginal children?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for his question about this very important health initiative. I would like to start by answering this question with something that is probably very rare for me and won't happen very often: commending the federal Liberal government for its solid and scientific approach to public policy in this area. While I remain deeply concerned about the federal Liberal government's ideologically driven agenda to damage South Australia's manufacturing sector, health care and education, the federal government has taken a strong scientifically based stance on vaccinations that should be applauded.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Should we be telling them that?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Credit where it's due, and it's due in this case. Not allowing the pseudoscience that is espoused by anti-vaccination campaigners to put children's health at risk is a sensible and commendable action. As members would be aware, the federal government has announced—and it was in, as I understand it, last night's budget—that it will stop childcare and family tax payments to parents who are conscientious objectors to childhood vaccinations. The reckless behaviour by some parents to not vaccinate their children, for what they call 'conscientious objection' reasons, is not only putting their own children at risk, but putting the health of other children who are too young to otherwise have vaccinations or medically unable to be vaccinated at grave risk of serious illness or even death.

These decisions by some parents are not based on any reputable science. The comprehensive, overwhelming evidence is that vaccinations provide a massive public benefit. The herd immunity that is gained by a comprehensive vaccination program allows that levels reached provide a protection for the whole of the population.

There have been many speeches in this place regarding closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people's health care and outcomes. However, when discussing vaccination rates for Aboriginal children in South Australia, there is a gap between Aboriginal children and non-Aboriginal children in two of the three categories, where Aboriginal children are now leading the way.

Aboriginal vaccination rates have increased by over 20 per cent in the past two years thanks to a targeted education campaign and the efforts of local health and community groups. The 'Help me stay strong' campaign run by the health department has delivered great returns. The targeted material provided to parents informs them of the importance of immunisation and the need for vaccinations to occur at six weeks, four months and six months of age. I congratulate the many dedicated healthcare workers who have helped to achieve this great result in Aboriginal health.

For instance, on current statistics, 91.8 per cent of Aboriginal children aged 12 months have received all their recommended vaccinations, compared with only 90.8 per cent for non-Aboriginal children. Ideally, both these numbers should be very close to 100 per cent, and I think the federal government's new policy in relation to vaccinations will improve this.

I encourage everyone in this chamber and the wider community to promote the benefits of immunisation. In this instance, it will deal with very real health concerns in the Aboriginal community and also for non-Aboriginal children.