COMMUNIQUÉ
26 FEBRUARY 2026
Meeting #106, Garramilla (Darwin)
The first annual meeting for 2026 of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Health Forum (the Forum; NTAHF) was held on Thursday, 26 February 2026 in Garramilla (Darwin), bringing together Forum partners to progress shared priorities for improving Aboriginal health outcomes across the Northern Territory.
The meeting was opened by the Chair, Rob McPhee, who acknowledged the Larrakia people and the land on which the meeting was held, as well as all the lands from which partners joined across the country. The Chair also expressed his sincere condolences following the tragic passing of Chris Perry in late 2025. Chris Perry made significant contributions to AMSANT, the Forum and more broadly to community and society.
The Chair welcomed the new Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), Donna Ah Chee, and congratulated her on her significant career and achievements at the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress. He highlighted her leadership and the driving change she will bring to the sector.
Strategic direction
The Forum endorsed the NT Aboriginal Health Forum Strategic Plan 2026–2030, providing a five‑year direction for coordinated action, shared decision‑making and NT health system reform to improve Aboriginal health outcomes in the Northern Territory.
Partners also participated in a workshop to finalise the one‑year Action Plan to support implementation of the Strategic Plan. This Action Plan will align with and complement the Closing the Gap NT Implementation Plan 3, which is scheduled to be developed over 2026.
Strengthening NTAHF governance and decision‑making
The Forum endorsed updated governance architecture for NTAHF subcommittees and working groups, agreeing to maintain a live register to improve clarity, transparency and oversight, with clear lines of reporting. Minor administrative amendments to the Terms of Reference will be progressed to strengthen reporting arrangements and lifecycle management of subcommittees and working groups.
AMSANT presented a formal shared decision‑making and co‑creation process for NT‑wide policies, strategies and plans affecting the Aboriginal community‑controlled health services sector and Aboriginal peoples. This confirms AMSANT as the conduit for sector‑wide engagement and establishes that proposals meeting agreed threshold criteria will follow this process. AMSANT will publish this process on its website.
Ntaria and Wallace Rockhole clinics to community control
The Forum approved the commencement of the transition process to a single Aboriginal community‑controlled service provider for the Ntaria and Wallace Rockhole clinics. The Forum also endorsed associated transition funding to support continuity, stability and safety of care for the community.
Ongoing work
The Forum received updates and progressed work on priority system issues, including workforce, Closing the Gap reporting, primary care, aged care, the NDIS, and emergency care in remote settings. These discussions will inform ongoing work and future Forum deliberations.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Health Forum (Meeting #107) will be held on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
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