Australia must develop a new inter-governmental Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing
strategy, which includes remote homeland communities, and is included in the Closing the Gap 142
Targets.
HEALTH
Australians live approximately 13.2% of their lives in ill health. 143 Poor health outcomes are linked to low
incomes,144 gaps in Australia’s healthcare system,145 and low levels of investment in illness prevention. 146
Australia must establish an ongoing mechanism for assessing and funding illness prevention.
Climate change and public health are interlinked. Recently, smoke from bushfires has harmed the health of
millions of Australians.147
Australia must improve systems for implementing accurate, evidence-based and timely public health
interventions to mitigate the health impact of climate change.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples carry a disproportionate health burden related to poverty and
poor living conditions,148 including high rates of gastroenteritis, encephalitis, hepatitis, heart disease,
diabetes, kidney failure and trachoma. In 2018, suicide was the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander children and people aged 15-44.149 Traumatic experiences,150 intergenerational
trauma,151 discrimination, grief and overcrowding152 and a sense of disempowerment were attributable
factors.153
The Australian Government must fund the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled health,
service and healing sector154 to meet family, child, youth, health, aged, disability and rehabilitation
needs nationally.
Almost a quarter of Australian children are affected by being overweight or obesity.155
Within two years, Australia must implement the WHO’s Ending Childhood Obesity Report
recommendations156 and enact legislation to protect children from unhealthy food marketing.
Transgender and gender-diverse people experience major barriers to accessing culturally safe healthcare in
Australia.157
Within two years, Australia must ensure free and timely access to culturally safe healthcare,
including access to gender affirming multidisciplinary healthcare for children and adolescents. 158
CLIMATE CHANGE
Australia is failing to prevent human rights harms caused by climate change. 159 Australia’s emissions are
increasing,160 its 2030 emissions reduction target is inadequate, 161 and it spends more money supporting
fossil fuels than climate action.162
Australia must immediately increase its 2030 emissions reduction target to at least 45%, and set a
target of net zero emissions before 2050. By 2021, Australia must put a price on carbon and use the
revenue to support vulnerable groups; put in place a plan to phase out coal exports; shift to 100%
renewable energy before 2035; and end fossil fuel subsidies by 2025.
Australia is failing to implement appropriate measures to ensure all persons have the capacity to adapt to
climate change and provide a just transition for workers and communities.
Australia must develop a rights and equity based adaptation plan, establish a just transition
authority with sensitivity to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, 163 and adequately
resource both.164
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