COMMUNIQUÉ 25 AUGUST 2026 Meeting #108, Mparntwe (Alice Springs)
The NT Aboriginal Health Forum (the Forum; NTAHF) met on 25 August 2026 in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), 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 Arrernte people as Traditional Owners of the land on which the meeting was held and paid respects to the Traditional Owners of all the lands from which partners joined.
Accelerated Pathways to Community Control (AP2CC)
The AP2CC team presented an update on the development of the AP2CC Framework. The Forum endorsed the strategic direction of the framework, including further work on regional health service delivery planning, transition support and long-term implementation pathways.
Progress was noted on transition cost modelling, implementation resources and future transition planning.
Partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the long-term transition of primary healthcare services to Aboriginal community control. The Forum endorsed the business case for the transition of clinics at Papunya, Haasts Bluff and Mt Liebig to Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, subject to approval by the Northern Territory Minister for Health.
NHRA Schedule B Reform Funding
AMSANT and NT Health presented the approach to developing the Northern Territory’s Schedule B proposal under the National Health Reform Agreement.
The Forum supported NTAHF being the key co-design, oversight and monitoring mechanism for the Northern Territory approach.
The Forum discussed implementation of NHRA Schedule B and supported a co-designed approach between NT Health and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector to identify Northern Territory reform priorities.
Housing and health
The Forum received an update on the NT Remote Housing Agreement and discussed opportunities to strengthen housing, environmental health and workforce initiatives that support healthier communities.
NDIS and Aboriginal Community Control
The Forum discussed opportunities to improve disability service access and strengthen collaboration with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), particularly in remote and underserved communities.
The Forum agreed to establish a new working group to examine how Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) can better participate in NDIS service delivery, explore policy barriers and commissioning approaches, and improve disability supports for Aboriginal people.
CARPA manual transition
The Forum supported ongoing oversight of the CARPA Manuals transition project and highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum towards a contemporary, digitally supported clinical guideline system.
Subcommittees, working groups and partner updates
The Forum received updates from NTAHF subcommittees, working groups and partners, highlighting progress and continued delivery across key priorities.
Notably, Regional Health Executive Committees have been re-established in Darwin and the Top End, East Arnhem, Big Rivers and Barkly, with the Central Australia committee continuing.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Health Forum (Meeting #109) will be held on 24 November 2026 in Darwin.
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