Aboriginal Health in Australia: Some Historical Observations and Contemporary Issues

v) Government interactions with representative Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) have all but rarely been characterised by unequal power relationships which features a lack of respect for Aboriginal peoples, and our history, culture, society, intelligence, human rights and sovereignty. It has been recognised that all too often bureaucrats and their appointed advisers see themselves as the experts in Aboriginal health, while diminishing, devaluing, contradicting or ignoring the expertise of Aboriginal peoples. In other words, government relations with Aboriginal communities are too frequently infected with the most offensive attributes of colonial oppression. In recognition of the need of governments to improve their record in terms of their relationships with Aboriginal communities, the National Aboriginal Health Strategy recommends an approach characterised by partnership directed towards a common goal.