Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19

Role

The Australian Government set up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19 to advise on health issues related to COVID-19. The role of the taskforce is to:

implement the Emergency Response Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and communities, across remote, regional and urban areas by developing a National Management Plan
advise on implementing the Management Plan in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector and communities
identify and escalate emerging and pressing issues
review and inform key documents, guidelines and plans as needed – including relevant sections of the CDNA Series of National Guidelines for Public Health Units: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19 SoNG)
liaise with Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and its standing committees
review new communication materials to be sent out through existing channels
present information and advice to the Department of Health’s Communications Branch
help inform the flow of information with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health sector

National Management Plan

The taskforce has developed the Management Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. This plan has been endorsed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and supports the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The plan supports delivery of health care during the coronavirus pandemic that is:

locally led
holistic
comprehensive
culturally safe

Management Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Populations

The Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus guides the Australian health sector response. This Management Plan focuses on culturally appropriate testing and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and for specific locations including remote communities.

Remote framework

The taskforce has developed a framework to inform decisions about lifting travel restrictions to remote communities. This framework has been endorsed by the National Cabinet.

Remote framework – conditions for easing remote area travel restrictions

This framework will help inform decisions around lifting remote area travel restrictions in Australia.

Members

The taskforce co-chairs are the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Department of Health

Advisory group members
Role	Member	Background and experience
Co-chair	Dr Lucas de Toca	Department of Health
Co-chair	Dr Dawn Casey	National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Member	Prof James Ward	Communicable Diseases Network Australia and Aboriginal infectious disease expertise
Member	Dr Kate Armstrong	Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales, representing the CEO and Board
Member	John Singer	Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia
Member	John Paterson	Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory
Member	Dr Liz Moore	Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory
Member	Dr Nadia Lusis	Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, representing the CEO and Board
Member	Angela Young	Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council
Member	Dr Mark Wenitong	Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council
Member	Dr Maureen Davey	Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation and state/territory government representative for Tasmania
Member	Dr Ana Herceg	Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, representing the CEO and Board
Member	Dr Marianne Wood	Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia, representing the CEO and Board
Member	Dr Lorraine Anderson	Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service, representing NACCHO Member Services
Member	Barbara Shaw	Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, representing NACCHO Member Services
Member	Olga Havnen	Danila Dilba Health Service, representing NACCHO Member Services
Member	Karly Ahfat	Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service, representing NACCHO Member Services
Member	Dr Jason Agostino	National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Member	Katrina Fanning	Representing National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Member	Dr Belinda Greenwood	State/territory government representative, Northern Territory
Member	Haylene Grogan	State/territory government representative, Queensland (lead)
Member	Dr Candice Colbran	State/territory government representative, Queensland
Member	Dr Pippa May	State/territory government representative, Western Australia
Member	Geraldine Wilson-Matenga	State/territory government representative, New South Wales
Member	Nicole McCartney	State/territory government representative, Victoria
Member	Nicola Gotovac	State/territory government representative, Australian Capital Territory
Member	Dr David Johnson	State/territory representative, South Australia
Member	Monica Barolits-McCabe	Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association
Member	Kristy Crooks	APPRISE Centre of Research Excellence
Member	Dr Bronwen Harvey	Department of Health
Member	Rachel O’Connor	National Indigenous Australians Agency

Meetings

The group meets regularly — currently twice a week — with urgent issues addressed daily.

Communiques

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19 Communiques

Communiques for the 2020 meetings of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19.

Related committees or groups

The Advisory Group reports to the Chief Medical Officer, and regularly informs the:

Contact

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19 secretariat

Contact the secretariat if you have any questions about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19.

Indigenous.Ops [at] health.gov.au

View contact

Last updated:

2 June 2020

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