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64
Aboriginal involvement in research on alcohol use
That Aboriginal people be involved at every level in the development, implementation and interpretation of research into the patterns, causes and consequences of Aboriginal alcohol use and in the application of the results of that research.
The Aboriginal community in Victoria has attempted many times in recent decades to have a greater voice in the health research sector. There is a need for change and the time is now. The Accord, with the momentum of other statewide processes, aims to enact sustainable and systemic changes to empower self-determination in research.
Aboriginal Justice Caucus Assessment
The intent of Recommendation 64 was to involve Aboriginal people in every stage of research into causes and impacts of alcohol use.
We disagree with the Department of Health’s assessment that this recommendation has been fully implemented.
There needs to be more consistency about Aboriginal involvement in research, and more research in the alcohol and other drugs area outside of the work related to public intoxication reforms:
This is around research, not service delivery. We don’t feel that it’s happening very well. Previously, there’s been no guidelines or a framework, or any strategies for this to occur. (Nicola Perry-Peters, VACCHO).
The Aboriginal community in Victoria has continued to push to have a greater voice in the health research sector. Greater efforts are needed across government to progress and implement Indigenous data sovereignty principles, research standards and governance across government. The broader Treaty processes may assist with this given it is a critical area for engagement with Aboriginal people.
Aboriginal-led services should be involved at every stage of research into the causes and impacts of alcohol use, as this research has direct implications for our communities and service delivery.
Aboriginal people, Aboriginal services know what to do, how to support an Aboriginal person. If you have non-Aboriginal services trying to service an Aboriginal person with complex needs, it fails every time. We just need to look at the mental health system, and how much it’s failing our mob. (Chris Harrison, Co-chairperson, AJC).
Meaningful Aboriginal involvement in research is essential to achieve practical improvements, and effective changes for Aboriginal communities. There needs to be greater support for Aboriginal-led initiatives to promote Aboriginal self-determination in health research and ethical practices like marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri, the Victorian Aboriginal Health, Medical and Wellbeing Research Accord.
With the goal of improving research culture and practices, the Accord aims to increase self-determination and Aboriginal governance in research and lead to tangible and equitable benefits for Aboriginal peoples. (VACCHO).
Priority for Further Work:
High
Relevance and potential impact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (0-2) | Moderate (3-4) | High (5-6) | |||
Extent of action taken and evidence of outcomes | High (5-6) | ||||
Moderate (3-4) | |||||
Low (0-2) | |||||
Potential Actions for Further Work
Support implementation of marra ngarroo, marra goorri
Continue to invest in the implementation of marra ngarroo, marra goorri, the Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Research Accord, including the Aboriginal teams and governance structures that support it.
Embed and ensure Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Indigenous Data Governance and access to records
The Victorian Government must commit funding and resources to systemic reform to facilitate, embed and ensure Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Data Governance in relation to Aboriginal people’s records, including through treaty by funding, resourcing and supporting the establishment of a Victorian Aboriginal-controlled statewide body for Aboriginal peoples’ data, records and data governance expertise.
(Yoorrook for Transformation, Recommendation 97)
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) emphasised that research into the causes and consequences of alcohol use in Aboriginal populations should only be conducted if it was deemed necessary by Aboriginal communities and involved them directly in its implementation. Additionally, the Commission found that action-based research that produces solutions to problems, was considered the most appropriate by Aboriginal communities.
Actions Taken Since Last Review
Department of Health
This recommendation was deemed fully implemented, noting the department engaged KPMG to deliver an independent evaluation of the health-based response to public intoxication reforms. Their team is co-led by their National Indigenous Practice lead partner and includes Aboriginal staff bringing their cultural expertise and perspectives to the work. The evaluation approach will include consultation with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health service providers, Aboriginal service users, and key Aboriginal led advisory groups.
The Minister for Mental Health also formed the Implementation Monitoring and Oversight Group. The group is majority Aboriginal including its chair. Its work involves regular consultation with community.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
For over 35 years, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria have been advocating to have agency over how health, medical and wellbeing research that impacts us, is conducted.
Since colonisation, our people have been subjected to culturally inappropriate and unsafe health and medical research, some of which fails to translate into meaningful benefits for us. Our Community in Victoria has long been attempting to change the way health research is conducted to make it ethical and respect our cultures, knowledges, needs and aspirations.
The Victorian Government finally answered this call in 2018 and took a necessary step by committing to the development of a research accord and provided initial funding for VACCHO to lead its development and initiate implementation.
Marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri, launched in October 2023, is a key action under the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Agreement between VACCHO and the Victorian Government. Research organisations that intend to, or already conduct, health, medical, and wellbeing research that targets, involves or impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria can contact the Victorian Aboriginal Research Accord Project (VARAP) team at VACCHO about participation in the implementation of the Acord.
Achievement of the objectives and vision of marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri requires strong and effective strategic direction, vision, and leadership that is culturally appropriate. Therefore, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Accord Governance Group (AGG) has been set up to govern the stipulated implementation actions, and the evaluation and monitoring of the Accord.
Impact
Outputs
- Victorian Aboriginal Research Accord Project team at VACCHO.
- marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri, the Aboriginal Health, Medical and Wellbeing Research Accord provides a framework to help researchers and research organisations improve ethical standards for research that impacts Aboriginal communities across Victoria.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Accord Governance Group.
Outcomes
Adoption of marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri
Several research bodies and health organisations have endorsed or officially joined the Accord since its launch, including the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and the Burnet Institute. This demonstrates a commitment by these organisations to transform their practices towards a self-determined approach to Aboriginal health research.
MCRI Director Professor Kathryn North said ‘joining the Accord isn’t just a matter of policy – it’s a promise to listen, to learn, and to ensure our work lifts up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.’ In addition, Burnet Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb described marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri as ‘not just morally and ethically the right thing to do, but also the evidenced-based way to better research outcomes.’ He emphasised that research is most successful when the communities involved both want the work to happen and feel safe with how it is conducted.
Community Views
Graham Atkinson
Graham Atkinson, Indigenous Elder Representative, Melbourne Academic Centre for Health Board and Co-chair, Aboriginal Leadership Group
The Accord provides a timely opportunity for Aboriginal peoples to participate in research that, among other things, is Aboriginal led and ethically conducted.
It will also be an innovative vehicle for the strengthening of collaborative relationships between Aboriginal peoples and the health, medical and wellbeing research sector for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
Olivia Payne, Executive Manager, Research at VACCHO
Implementation of the Accord will give voice to Community and assist researchers and research organisations in Victoria on their journey towards conducting ethical Aboriginal research.
With the goal of improving research culture and practices, the Accord aims to increase self-determination and Aboriginal governance in research and lead to tangible and equitable benefits for Aboriginal peoples.
The Aboriginal community in Victoria has attempted many times in recent decades to have a greater voice in the health research sector. There is a need for change and the time is now. The Accord, with the momentum of other statewide processes, aims to enact sustainable and systemic changes to empower self-determination in research.