We were proud to see leading UCRH researcher Associate Professor Veronica Matthews speaking with national leaders as part of the Climate Change and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Ministerial Roundtable at Parliament House.
Hosted by the The Lowitja Institute (photo by Lowitja) the roundtable provided an opportunity to canvass current and future policies, strategies, and reforms aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
One of the key discussion points was the recommendation that the Australian Government fund the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coalition on Climate and Health. Veronica, along with other leaders and speakers in this space, argue that First Nations people need to have power and agency around these issues.
The speakers made the point that following the defeat of the Voice referendum, and the urgency of the climate crisis, we need to listen to and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, recognising the value of First Nations culture and its deep, holistic connections to the environment.
