Medical students implore the Federal Government to commit to more substantive efforts to actualise a country that is “one and free”. 

The recent announcement by the government to remove the word “young” in the national anthem is in recognition of Australia’s 60,000-year-strong Indigenous history. At minimum, this acknowledgement of First Nations peoples should be extended to constitutional reform, a change that leading Indigenous organisations and bodies have demanded for years. 

“We remain a country deeply divided by legislation, policies and structures that discriminate against First Nations peoples. The symbolism of changing our national anthem only has value if it’s accompanied by real efforts to address ongoing inequity,” Darug woman and AMSA President, Sophie Keen, said.

Beyond symbolic efforts, building a stronger relationship with our First Nations peoples hinges on actively and consistently addressing ingrained and systemic racism. Policies such as the cashless welfare card disproportionately target First Nations peoples and perpetuate stigma surrounding Indigenous communities, while flying in the face of efforts to enable self-determination. 

“Whilst symbolic steps may play a role in shaping the meta-narrative of our country, they do little to address the real problems faced by Indigenous Australians. Regardless of what the new lyrics may be, we are not one, and we will not be one in the foreseeable future unless the government takes substantive actions to address the numerous structural barriers we face, and until our right to self determination is upheld and adequately supported,” Biripi man and AMSA Indigenous Portfolio Manager, Bradley Goff, said.

Racism in government structures and policies filter down into every facet of society, including healthcare. A survey conducted by the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) in 2016 found that more than 60% of Indigenous medical students and doctors reported experiencing racism or bullying at least once a week. A further 10% of respondents reported hiding their Indigenous identity to avoid racial stereotyping, harassment and bullying. 

“If we are truly to be “one” as a nation, we must commit to policies and procedures grounded in self-determination, community consultation and transparency. Only then may we start to address Australia’s long history of neglect, exclusion and negligence towards First Nations peoples,” Sophie Keen said.

In healthcare, this involves the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students who are uniquely placed to drive a culturally safe and informed healthcare system. Indigenous Health is a national priority for AMSA, and Indigenous medical students and doctors are fundamental in efforts to address the systemic inequity that perpetuates poorer health outcomes for First Nations peoples.

 AMSA is the peak representative body for Australia’s 17,000 medical students. AMSA is a non-Indigenous organisation that respects and acknowledges the voice of Indigenous bodies in this space. AMSA will continue to advocate for First Nations peoples and the elimination of existing inequities through policies that enable self-determination and have undergone thorough community consultation. AMSA implores the Federal Government to commit to further change beyond modifying a single word of our national anthem.