Today, the Federal government announced it would invest more money in improving the health standards of our people, but just how much the states will contribute is still unknown.
The Federal parliament may not be sitting, but Canberra was abuzz with kids, politicians and their policies. On the agenda today was the Gillard government's 777 million dollar contribution to indigenous health of over 3 years.
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations says it's now up to the states to ensure black health remains a priority.
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Justin Mohammed told NITV "It's going to be very vital right now that the states and territories come on board. Because if they don't come on board it's going to leave a lot of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people short of not just the services they deserve, but what they've been accustomed to in the past 4 years."
Leaders from the states and territories are in the capital to attend the Council of Australian Governments meeting tomorrow, and they have until June 30 to announce their contribution to Indigenous Health.
“This is unambiguously in our nation's interest and in the interest of the indigenous community," said Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
"I certainly hope it is...endorsed all around the country."
With states and territories tightening their belts - it could lead to governments investing a lot less.
Aboriginal Health Services in Queensland hopes that's not the case - it wants Premier Campbell Newman to give priority to programs that are producing results.
In 2008, nearly 2 billion dollars was provided by states and territories to reduce health gaps. That money runs out in June.
All parties have agreed to have black life expectancy on par with mainstream Australia by 2030, and for those in the health sector every dollar counts.
