AIM: ASU Indigenous Members

Tell our governments we want to Close the Gap

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a life expectancy 17 years less than other Australians. Yet this is a situation that can be changed. The "Close the Gap" campaign calls on federal, state and territory governments to commit to closing the life expectancy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians within a generation. April 22 is National Close the Gap Day - join us in showing your support.

As the ASU argued in our statement in support of the Australian Parliament's apology of February 13, we believe the importance of the symbolic gesture needs to be followed up with concrete measures to ensure our indigenous people are treated with justice. That's why we are supporting the "Close the Gap" campaign.

There is no quick fix but with a long-term commitment to work with indigenous communities we can bring about change.

National Close the Gap Day - April 22

We also encourage ASU supporters to participate in events around National Close the Gap Day on April 22, 2008. It is an important event to show governments that we have not forgotten and we don't expect them to forget their commitments either.

To find out more about how you can be involved on April 22, please visit the Oxfam website here: http://www.oxfam.org.au/events/close-the-gap-day

You can help bring about change:

• Join Close the Gap Day events or organise your own
• Find out more about the issues
• Sign the Close the Gap pledge (see below)
• Take action
• Read Indigenous health success stories

"Close the Gap" is supported by the ASU and more than 40 indigenous and non-indigenous organisations, including Oxfam Australia. Find out more at the campaign website here: http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/indigenous-health/

Sign the pledge

We call on Australian governments to take action to achieve health equality for Indigenous Australians within 25 years through:

• Increasing annual Indigenous health funding by $460 million to enable equal access to health services
• Increasing Indigenous control and participation in the delivery of health services
• Addressing critical social issues such as housing, education and self-determination which contribute to the Indigenous health crisis

Sign the pledge here: http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/indigenous-health/#pledge