VACCHO thanks Jacinta Allan and welcomes Ben Carroll as new Victorian Premier

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) has thanked outgoing Victorian Labor leader and Premier Jacinta Allan, for her leadership and ongoing commitment to Aboriginal health, self-determination and Victoria’s Treaty process.

VACCHO Acting CEO Jim O’Shea said Ms Allan has played an important role in advancing reforms that recognised the rights, voices and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Victoria.

“On behalf of VACCHO, we thank Ms Allan for her support of Aboriginal health and wellbeing and her commitment to Victoria’s path to Treaty.”

As Premier, Ms Allan took the incredible step to appear before the Yoorrook Justice Commission, telling the truth about Victoria’s past. She also signed Australia’s first Treaty and delivered a historic apology recognising the hurt inflicted on Aboriginal communities through harmful state policies.

VACCHO recognises the incredible legacy that Ms Allan leaves and wish her all the very best for her future endeavours.

VACCHO also extends its warm congratulations to Ben Carroll on his appointment as the Premier and new leader of the Victorian Labor Party.

“We look forward to building on our relationship with Mr Carroll and the Victorian Government to ensure Aboriginal health and wellbeing remain a priority, and that the Treaty process continues to progress.”

“We recognise the important work Mr Carroll has already done within his previous portfolios to elevate Aboriginal health and wellbeing,” Mr O’Shea said.

Mr Carrol helped secured $4.5 million to kickstart the development and implementation of marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri: The Victorian Aboriginal Health, Medical and Wellbeing Research Accord.

VACCHO also values Mr Carroll’s support to develop the recent Education and Training Reform Amendment to include recognition of First Nations people and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

VACCHO remains committed to working with the Victorian Government to strengthen the health and wellbeing outcomes of all Aboriginal communities in Victoria.

Background

VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing in Victoria – the only one of its kind – with 34 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations as Members. VACCHO Members support over 65,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, and combined are the largest employers of Aboriginal people in the state.