While Australia has enjoyed a sustained period of economic growth and prosperity, there is available evidence that this prosperity has not been evenly shared among the wider community. Not only have social disparities persisted; they have worsened, with certain communities appearing to be particularly vulnerable.¹   Red Cross is committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to identify how we can prevent and reduce the vulnerability confronting many Indigenous communities. To achieve this, we are investing resources and energy to a place-based approach - working with the most disadvantaged people in the most disadvantaged places. Today, we have programs in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory, where we work in collaboration with Indigenous community groups, schools, health providers, governments and corporate sponsors.

Image: Tim Page

¹  Taylor, J. 2006. Population and Diversity: Policy Implications of Emerging Indigenous Demographic Trends, Discussion Paper 283/2006, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University.