In 2002, during the Presidency of Dr Kerryn Phelps, the AMA established its Taskforce on Indigenous Health which consists of a small group of doctors with knowledge and experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues. It was set up to support the President to give Indigenous Health issues prominence.
In 2002 this group initiated the Report Card Series with the aim of increasing awareness of the appalling state of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and what needs to be done. The series aims to provide the general public and politicians with a credible concise source of information. Since 2004 the report card has also included a Good News Insert which provides examples of successful projects and programs.
The Series
- Public Report Card 2002 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - No More Excuses (released 24 May 2002)
- Public Report Card 2003 - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health - Time for Action (released 31 May 2003)
- AMA Discussion Paper 2004 – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health – Healing Hands – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Requirements (released 12 August 2004)
- AMA Report Card Series 2005 - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health – Lifting the Weight – Low Birth Weight Babies: an Indigenous Health Burden that must be lifted (released 19 May 2005)
- AMA Report Card Series 2006 - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health – Undue Punishment? Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders in Prison: An Unacceptable Reality (released 18 May 2006)
- AMA Report Card Series 2007 - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health - Insitutionalised Inequity. Not Just a matter of money (released 22 May 2007)