The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) welcomes the opportunity to acknowledge Sorry Day, a significant day for all Australians to recognise the past wrongs inflicted upon our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is at the core of our College charter to Australia’s rural and remote communities, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors as leading members of the College, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people representing a substantial proportion of rural and remote communities.

Today ACRRM reaffirms its commitment to the advancement of the status of health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly those living in rural and remote communities, who typically experience the country’s greatest health disadvantage.

ACRRM President, Ruth Stewart said, “As a College we are dedicated to 'closing the gap' in healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and we believe this can only be achieved through a cooperative approach with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders.”

ACRRM will continue to work in partnership with NACCHO, AIDA and other peak organisations to ‘Close the Gap’ and make positive changes in healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.