The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to invest in remote communities and Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services, with new staff accommodation officially opening in Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
The accommodation at Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation will be available to local and visiting clinical staff who deliver vital primary health care services to First Nations people in Tennant Creek and nearby communities.
Designed to provide high-quality housing for health professionals, the facility will help address workforce shortages and improve continuity of care.
The Albanese Government invested more than $920,000 through the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, as part of the Indigenous Australians’ Health Program under the Closing the Gap Major Capital Works program.
Anyinginyi Health has contributed a further $1.3 million to the facility.
The staff accommodation project was co-designed in partnership with the First Nations health sector and aligns with Priority Reform Two of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to build the Community-Controlled sector.
The new accommodation is part of the Albanese Government’s broader $500 million commitment over five years to invest in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to improve health infrastructure including funding for new and upgraded clinics, staff, housing and other essential facilities.
Quotes attributable to Minister McCarthy:
“By investing in infrastructure which supports our health workforce, we are helping to ensure First Nations people in Tennant Creek and the Barkly region have access to the care they need, close to home.
“This project is a great example of what can be achieved when governments work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal organisations.
“The Albanese Government is committed to improving health outcomes for First Nations people as part of Closing the Gap.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
“The Albanese Government is committed to Closing the Gap and improving health outcomes for First Nations people and ensuring care is there when and where it’s needed.
“This investment is about removing barriers to health care and making sure services in Tennant Creek are culturally safe and close to home.
“When health workers can stay in the community, people get continuity of care. That makes a real difference in preventing illness, managing chronic conditions and improving health outcomes for First Nations people."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy Marion Scrymgour:
“Our government is committed to listening to Aboriginal Territorians and delivering services that work for local communities.
“We know that attracting and retaining staff is a constant challenge across the Barkly and our government is taking steps to ensure that people in Tennant Creek can access the health services they need.
“I welcome this investment in Lingiari and look forward to welcoming new health service staff to our region.”
Quotes attributable to NACCHO CEO Pat Turner AM:
“Anyinginyi’s new staff accommodation is about investing in the foundations of care, providing the support health professionals need to stay in the Barkly so care remains close to home.
“This is Priority Reform Two in action, led locally, supported nationally, with the Australian Government working in genuine partnership with our community-controlled sector and strong co-investment from Anyinginyi.
“When our workforce has appropriate and supportive accommodation, they can stay longer and provide the consistent, culturally safe, comprehensive primary health care our people deserve, and that’s how we Close the Gap in Tennant Creek.”