More than $100 million would be spent reducing youth suicides and preventable diseases among Indigenous Australians, federal Labor has announced, saying First Nations people "have the right to grow old".
Nearly a quarter of the funding would target poor mental health in vulnerable Aboriginal communities amid shocking rates of child suicide in some regions.
"Every Australian, Indigenous or non-Indigenous, should have access to the health services they need, where and when they need them," Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said.
The announcement in the Northern Territory on Thursday marks the seventh day in a row the ALP's election campaign has focused on health.
The $115 million plan also includes:
- $33 million to address rheumatic heart disease — a preventable condition killing up to 100 Indigenous children annually
- $16.5 million for the Queensland-based Deadly Choices health campaign to expand nationally
- $20 million for sexual health promotion activities, including targeting a syphilis outbreak in northern Australia
- $13 million to stop vision loss
"Wholly preventable eye diseases and blindness should be unacceptable in a developed nation like Australia," Mr Shorten said.
Rheumatic heart disease is also entirely preventable — but children in the Northern Territory community of Maningrida have the highest known rates in the world.
It is caused by repeated exposure to an infection on the skin and throat and can lead to permanent heart damage and even death.
Mr Shorten said the measures would help "ensure that First Australians experience the most fundamental right of all: the right to grow old".
"Improving the health status of First Australians is critical to our journey towards reconciliation."
The mental health package would fund child psychologists, paediatricians and Indigenous health workers, with money flowing through Aboriginal health organisations.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children make up a quarter of youth suicides despite representing less than 5 per cent of young people.
The Labor Leader — who is also the party's Indigenous Affairs spokesman — said he would "put First Australians at the centre of decision-making".
"As part of this strategy, Labor will prioritise Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations."
