The Hon Warren Snowdon
Minister for Indigenous Health
The Hon Jenny Macklin
Minister for Indigenous Affairs
The Hon Kate Ellis
Minister for Sport
14 August 2009
NRL TACKLES INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs,
Jenny Macklin, and the Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, today congratulated the National Rugby
League (NRL) on dedicating this weekend’s Round 23 to national efforts to improve the life
expectancy of Indigenous Australians.
Mr Snowdon and Ms Ellis will both be travelling to Sydney today to watch the South Sydney
Rabbitohs take on the Gold Coast Titans at ANZ Stadium.
“The NRL should be proud of its Indigenous history, and I am pleased that they have joined
the effort to close the gap,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Indigenous men have a life expectancy 11.5 years less than non-Indigenous Australians
and the Rudd Government has set the target to close that gap within a generation,” said Mr
Snowdon.
“Together with the state and territory Governments, we have committed $1.6 billion to act on
that pledge, but addressing this appalling disadvantage requires a partnership with
Indigenous people, and the support of all Australians.”
Ms Macklin said improving Indigenous health has the commitment of the whole-of-
government.
“We are working with Indigenous communities across education, employment, infrastructure
and health to give Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people the opportunity for better
lives,” Ms Macklin said.
"In a sports mad country like Australia, our footballers have a special ability to draw attention
to and work to address challenges being faced in the broader community," Ms Ellis said.
"The Close the Gap round is another great example of the incredible power of sport and the
NRL's commitment to tackling Indigenous disadvantage."
Tonight’s match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Gold Coast Titans will feature
a number of the code’s best Indigenous players, including South Sydney’s Chris Sandow
and Nathan Merritt and the Gold Coast’s Preston Campbell and Scott Prince.
Media Contacts_____________________________________________________
For Ms Macklin:
Jessica Walker
0430 166 633
For Mr Snowdon:
Kate Sieper
0488 484 689
For Ms Ellis:
Jamila Rizvi
0438 633 603
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