The Lowitja Institute has identified significant economic benefits for Australia, including the potential for up to $10 billion-a-year savings in health, from a constitutionally embedded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

The Lowitja Institute fully supports the establishment of a constitutionally-enshrined federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, as described in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, as well as full implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart (Uluru Statement): Voice, Treaty, Truth.

Lowitja Institute was engaged to facilitate the needs assessment process to determine the Indigenous-specific priority areas for research into diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In doing this, they have assessed and prioritised the related unmet health and medical needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural, remote, regional and urban Australia.

This paper outlines the findings from an initial feasibility study for a new, Aboriginal-led, independent statutory accountability entity to strengthen oversight of Victorian Government programs for Aboriginal people – a Victorian Aboriginal Authority.

This discussion paper sets a framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to take control of their health and wellbeing through nation building.