Official Launch of the Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program in Cairns

The Indigenous community in Far North Queensland and staff at Wu Chopperen Medical Service, celebrated National Aboriginal and Islanders Children's Day, with the official launch of the Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program in Cairns today.

Opened by local member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour and Health Minister Nicola Roxon, the day started off with the release of bio degradable balloons, by Mr Turnour, Ms Roxon and Wu Chopperen staff.

Staff at Wu Chopperen and Local Member Jim Turnour, and Health Minister Nicola Roxon release balloons.

Wu Chopperen was selected along with two other Indigenous Organisations, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, to deliver the ANFPP program as part of the Rudd Government's Close the Gap campaign.

Ms Roxon said 'nearly $2million worth of funding over the next 2 years will go towards supporting home visits'. The program will also be rolled out over another ten sites across Australia.'

Ms Roxon says that the government 'believes that if they support the mothers during the early years of a child's life, we can ensure they grow up as happy healthy children, and to close the life expectancy gap and improve infant mortality rate.'

Leanne Knowles, acting CEO of Wu Chopperen who met with the Therese Rein, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's wife and delegates from the Pacific Island Forum yesterday, said the ANFPP 'will support the building of capacity of families, so that our kids can live longer and have better health outcomes'.

Leanne Knowles meeting with Therese Rein at Wu Chopperen yesterday