Indigenous Voice
The Australian Association for Infant Mental Health is committed to supporting recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples through a constitutionally enshrined voice. We note that structural reform of our governance is required to move towards
more equitable health and development outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and children.
As a group of professionals working with babies and toddlers and their families, we commit to leading conversations that promote
respect, trust, and goodwill between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. And we acknowledge that these conversations and
reform will benefit ALL Australians. We note the words of Professor Fiona Stanley and Professor Marcia Langton, that “The evidence is
clear that having a Voice – that is, a say, in issues and programs that affect them – makes a huge difference to improving daily life for
First Nations people, from the time of their birth onwards (Stanley & Langton, 2023). As infant mental health specialists we
also note that the positive impacts of a Voice start well before a child’s birth. Programs that are initiated and implemented by
Indigenous experts, or in close collaboration with them, are trusted and effectively used by Indigenous communities and organisations, and
improve health and development outcomes, including attendance at antenatal care, reduced suicide rates, improved educational
participation. Aboriginal birthing on country is a prime example of the importance and positive impact of a Voice in health
program design (e.g. Hartz et al, 2020, Briggs, 2019). We look forward to all members working together to progress this
important piece of advocacy work by AAIMH.
If not now, when?
ReferencesBriggs M. (2019). Waminda
South Coast Women’s Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda). Australian Midwifery News,
19(1). 16-17.Hartz D, Briggs M, Cutmore S, Delaney-Thiele, D & Buzzacott C. (2020). Why Aboriginal women want to avoid the
biomedical system. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s stories. Ch. 16 in Dahlen H, Kumar-Hazard B,
Schmied V. (Eds.) Birthing Outside the System: The Canary in the Coal Mine. Milton: Taylor &
Francis. 344-359. Stanley, F. & Langton, M (2023). How the Voice can help to close the gap. Ch. 9 in T. Mayo & K.
O’Brien. The Voice to Parliament Handbook. Hardie Grant. Add
your content here.