Tom Calma – The Conversation

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May 23, 2023

Drinking fountains in every town won’t fix all our water issues – but it’s a healthy start

John Charles Skinner, Macquarie University; Kylie Gwynne, Macquarie University, and Tom Calma, University of Canberra

We estimate more than 200 communities across Australia do not have community drinking water fountains. That must change.

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May 5, 2023

New funds will tackle Indigenous smoking. But here’s what else we know works for quit campaigns

Christina Heris, Australian National University; Lisa J. Whop, Australian National University; Michelle Kennedy, University of Newcastle; Raglan Maddox, Australian National University; Raymond Lovett, Australian National University, and Tom Calma, University of Canberra

If we are to reduce the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people smoking we need to consider a whole suite or approaches.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to recast how decisions are made about Indigenous affairs. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

November 10, 2019

The government is committed to an Indigenous voice. We should give it a chance to work

Professor Marcia Langton, The University of Melbourne and Tom Calma, University of Canberra

We have welcomed the opportunity to guide the co-design process because we feel this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to recast how decisions are made in Indigenous affairs.

Scabies led to the closure of migrant camps such as these in Calais, France, in 2014. Pascal Rossignol/Reuters

June 7, 2018

Migrants’ latest health challenge: Scabies

Jackson Thomas, University of Canberra; Gregory Peterson, University of Tasmania; Julia K. Christenson, University of Canberra; Mark Naunton, University of Canberra; Tom Calma, University of Canberra, and Professor Gabrielle Cooper OAM, University of Canberra

Migrants face many health problems, from mental health issues to diseases. The latest threat is scabies.

We must change the date of Australia Day again again if we want to achieve a national day that unifies all Australians. Shutterstock

January 25, 2018

A modern and united Australia must shift its national day from January 26

Tom Calma, University of Canberra

The current choice of date for Australia Day is symbolic of the country we used to be – not the one we hope to become.

All governments must re-commit and re-energise their efforts to the Closing the Gap initiative. AAP/Mick Tsikas

February 12, 2016

Indigenous health leaders helped give us a plan to close the gap, and we must back it

Tom Calma, University of Canberra

The formation of the Close the Gap Campaign in March 2006 has provided ongoing focus and scrutiny on the health inequalities faced by Indigenous Australians.

The Apology of 2008 demonstrated how symbolic actions have powerful practical consequences for reconciliation. AAP/Julian Smith

July 10, 2014

Indigenous recognition in our highest law is the right thing to do

Tom Calma, University of Canberra

Later this year, we expect to see draft recommendations from a parliamentary committee on recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian constitution and ensuring there is…

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