Oxfam supporter Nikita Nayar and Belmont MLA Cassie Rowe in front of the Close the Gap banner.
Camera IconOxfam supporter Nikita Nayar and Belmont MLA Cassie Rowe in front of the Close the Gap banner. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Belmont MLA Rowe urges community to get involved in National Close the Gap Day

Aaron CorlettSouthern Gazette

BELMONT MLA Cassie Rowe has symbolically placed her handprint on a banner, to urge the local community to get involved in National Close the Gap Day on Thursday, March 15.

The national day is part of the campaign to close the 10-year gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians by 2030.

“Local Aboriginal groups are not the only people within our community who face discrimination or injustice,” she said.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“We must do more for everyone who needs our support.

“But the history of dispossession and colonisation of the original peoples of Australia has created some unique and abiding problems for Aboriginal people – and our whole community.”

Ms Rowe said the gap in health and education for young Indigenous West Australians reflected poorly on society and they should have the same access to opportunities and services as others.

Oxfam Australia WA community campaigner Paddy Cullen said it was encouraging to see so many representatives at the state level echoing community support for an end to health inequality in Australia, with more than 95 per cent of WA state politicians having now put their handprint on the Close the Gap banner over the past decade.

“Showing support for Close the Gap, especially as we get closer to National Close the Gap Day, sends a powerful message to both State and Federal Governments to fully implement a comprehensive national action plan to achieve Indigenous health equality,” he said.

MORE: Full list of Perth suburbs being disconnected from existing phone lines as NBN rollout continues

MORE: Are Perth kids brushing their teeth enough?

MORE: Beldon electric shock: WA Government could be up for millions, lawyer says