News
March 23, 2026
Aged care reforms failing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, sector warns
The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) is urging governments to take immediate action to address major gaps in Australia’s aged care reforms, warning the current system is failing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and placing community-controlled health providers under increasing pressure. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders continue to face significant disadvantage […]
February 26, 2026
QAIHC welcomes ACCHO-led GP training trial in Charleville
The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) welcomed the official launch of a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Single Employer Model (SEM) trial in Charleville, describing it as a major step in growing and retaining the GP workforce in rural and remote Queensland, and strengthening community-controlled care. The $2.4 million Commonwealth-funded trial will […]
July 31, 2025
Closing the Gap progress report: QAIHC says same, same – now we need different.
The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Council (QAIHC) is urging governments nationally to strengthen their commitment to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and its priority reforms, with yet another progress report highlighting few improvements over the past 12 months. Only four out of 19 targets in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap remain […]
June 21, 2025
QAIHC calls for a new approach as independent review finds Closing the Gap still off track
A new independent review into the National Agreement on Closing the Gap has confirmed what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been saying for years: despite bold promises, governments are failing to deliver the transformational change required to close the gap. “Closing the Gap isn’t just about policy, it’s about improving the health outcomes […]
June 13, 2025
Video: QAIHC State Members Conference, 3-4 June 2025
QAIHC’s Statewide Members Conference, held over 3-4 June 2025, was our strongest yet. With two days of cultural celebration, knowledge sharing and deadly discussions, it was an important time for our Member ACCHOs to come together to help move the sector forward toward real, practical solutions to local issues. You can stream the video below.
June 5, 2025
A statement from QAIHC’s outgoing Chairman, Mr Matthew Cooke
A statement from QAIHC’s outgoing Chairman, Mr Matthew Cooke: Today, QAIHC held its 2024 Annual General Meeting, where we welcomed new directors and appointed a new chairperson, Dorothy Smith. It marks the close of my term as Chairman, and, while I will remain on the Board as a regional director, I want to express my […]
February 5, 2025
$1.7b hospital deal must include First Nations investments
The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) has welcomed the Albanese Government’s $1.7 billion commitment to fully fund public hospitals for one year, to reduce waiting times and ease pressure on emergency departments. However, QAIHC has urged that some of the investment be directed toward First Nations health initiatives. QAIHC Chairman Matthew Cooke called […]
December 11, 2024
QAIHC meets with Ministers to push for practical local solutions to close the gap
QAIHC representatives met with the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Hon. Tim Nicholls, and the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, Hon. Fiona Simpson to push for practical local solutions to close the gap yesterday. QAIHC Chairman Matthew Cooke and Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer David Harmer attended […]