MEMORANDUM of UNDERSTANDING

for

Central Australia Academic Health Science Centre

dated

30 March 2015

PREAMBLE The parties wish to include an additional member of the Central Australia Academic Health Science

Centre consortium, Ngaanyatjarra Health Service. This MOU now constitutes the entire

understanding between the parties in connection with its subject matter and supersedes and

replaces the Memorandum of Understanding for the Central Australia Advanced Health Research

and Translation Centre dated 4 September 2014.

1. THE PARTIES

1.1 Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) is the peak body for

Aboriginal community controlled health services in the Northern Territory, and includes

26 member services in urban, regional and remote locations. AMSANT is committed to

supporting and strengthening the work of its member services through activities

including workforce support, quality improvement initiatives, advocacy, policy

development and research in order to promote the health and well-being of Aboriginal

people of the Northern Territory.

1.2 Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (Baker IDI) is Australia’s premier medical

research institute focussed on reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease,

diabetes and related disorders. Baker IDI Central Australia was established in Alice

Springs, Northern Territory in 2007 in order to apply the institute’s resources to

Aboriginal health equity and to support the development of relevant health and medical

research and clinical capacity in central Australia.

1.3 Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation (Congress) is a national

leader in Aboriginal community controlled primary health care and is the largest

Aboriginal community controlled health service in the Northern Territory. Congress

provides comprehensive primary health care services and works to change the social,

political, economic and environmental determinants of illness impacting central

Australian Aboriginal residents. Congress delivers services through specialised divisions

in Alice Springs and auspices remote health services in five central Australian Aboriginal

communities.

1.4 Central Australia Health Services (CAHS) is one of two statutory health services

established under the Health Services Act 2014, and is a body corporate. It provides a

range of health services, from primary to tertiary, across Central Australia in accordance

with its Service Delivery Agreement with the Northern Territory Government

Department of Health.

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1.5 Charles Darwin University (CDU) delivers a broad range of tertiary education to

students through its eight campuses and centres in the Northern Territory. As the only

university based in the NT, CDU recognises the important role it plays in contributing to

and providing leadership in the NT’s intellectual, professional, social and cultural life,

and environmental wellbeing, and for meeting the current and future needs for tertiary

education, training and knowledge in the Territory.

1.6 Flinders University (Flinders) is a leading international university in Australia with a

record of excellence and innovation in teaching, research and community engagement.

Flinders NT includes:

1.6.1 The Centre for Remote Health, a joint Centre of Flinders University and

Charles Darwin University, which contributes to the improved health

outcomes of people in remote communities of the Northern Territory and

Australia through the provision of high quality tertiary education, training

and research focusing on the discipline of Remote Health.

1.6.2 The NT Medical Program which aims to produce a medical workforce for NT

and increase the number of Indigenous doctors in Australia; and

1.6.3 The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health which is part of a national network of

Poche Centres. It contributes to the improved health outcomes of Aboriginal

people in remote communities of the Northern Territory and Australia in

partnership with Aboriginal communities, through conducting high quality

research, education, and training.

1.7 Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) is a national leader in health, education

and research training specialising in Indigenous and tropic health research. Menzies is a

body corporate of the Northern Territory Government, and is a school within Charles

Darwin University's Institute of Advanced Studies. Menzies' Vision is to improve health

outcomes and reduce health inequity through excellence and leadership in research,

education and capacity development.

1.8 Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (NHS), formed in 1985, is a community controlled health

service that provides culturally appropriate comprehensive primary health care services

to the Ngaanyatjarra people living on the Ngaanyatjarra lands in Western Australia. NHS

delivers clinic services at 12 remote locations, runs an aged care facility, and provides a

range of supportive health programs. The administration and management of NHS is

undertaken from Alice Springs, Northern Territory, the closest major town.

2. PURPOSE

The Parties have a strong mutual interest in developing an Academic Health Science Centre

in Central Australia.

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to articulate the principles and

approach that the Parties agree as underpinning to a Central Australia Academic Health

Science Centre.

This MOU acknowledges the commitment of all Parties to institution-level collaboration and

provides an agreed framework for action.

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3. PRINCIPLES OF THIS MOU

Through the purpose and contents of this MOU, the Parties acknowledge and are informed

by the following principles:

3.1 Health improvement

3.1.1. Aboriginal peoples of the central Australian region and across Australia have

a fundamental right of ownership over their own lands, culture, knowledge

and information, as well as a right to enjoy the same level of health and

health care as other Australians.

3.1.2 As endorsed in the National Aboriginal Health Strategy (1989), Aboriginal

self-determination, a collaborative approach and intersectoral co-operation

are vital in serving the endeavours of Aboriginal community control in health

service delivery.

3.1.3 Aboriginal health must be supported using a holistic approach being mindful

and inclusive of the social, cultural, emotional, spiritual and other health

experiences of Aboriginal people.

3.1.4 Improved health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples are achieved when

Aboriginal peoples and their health services are empowered to act on their

own behalf.

3.1.5 Improvements to healthcare will benefit Aboriginal and non Aboriginal

residents of central Australia.

3.2 Ethical conduct in research and ownership of data

3.2.1 The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) and

NHMRC’s Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander Health Research (2003) describes the framework for

conducting research involving Aboriginal people in a manner that respects

the values and other requirements of communities.

3.2.2 The value of collecting, analysing and recording Aboriginal health

information is fully realized only when Aboriginal peoples and their

representative bodies are full partners in these processes, and the

information is shared with Aboriginal peoples and their representative

bodies and used to benefit them.

3.2.3 Data will be collected in a manner consistent with National Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander Data Principles (2006) and NACCHO Data Protocols

(1997).

3.3 Capacity building

3.3.1 Research capacity building, including that of Aboriginal and non Aboriginal

people and of organisations, is integral to the conduct of research aimed at

the achievement of improved health outcomes in central Australia.

3.3.2 Increasing the capacity of Aboriginal people as investigators contributes to

culturally valid and scientifically sound research.

3.3.3 Increasing access to world-class health professional education and training

for residents of central Australia contributes to culturally-appropriate and

high quality health service delivery.

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4.0 ADMINISTRATION OF THE COLLABORATION

4.1 This MOU will operate from the date of signature on the Deed of Variation for two years

The MOU may be renewed by the Parties by mutual agreement at the end of this

period.

4.2 The collaboration described in this MOU will be administered by a Steering Committee

of eight nominees, one from each of the Parties. Where necessary and as designated,

delegates may act in the place of Steering Committee members.

4.3 Nothing in this MOU will affect individual relationships and projects being carried out

between the Parties.

5.0 CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

5.1 Parties and their respective employees, consultants or agents shall not disclose, use or

make public any information or material acquired or produced in connection with or by

the performance of this MOU other than in the performance of their respective

obligations under this MOU or as required by law, without the prior written approval of

the other Parties, which must not be unreasonably withheld.

5.2 The Parties intend that the provisions of this clause shall be binding on them and shall

survive the termination or expiration of this MOU.

6.0 TERMINATION

6.1 A Party may terminate this MOU by written notification to the other Parties in writing of

its desire to terminate.

6.2 Termination of this MOU shall not affect the implementation of the projects or programs

or areas of co-operation established under it prior to such termination, unless the

specific projects or programs are also explicitly terminated.

7.0 NON-BINDING NATURE OF MOU

7.1 This MOU is an expression of mutual concerns and intent which will facilitate more

detailed and specific negotiations between the parties.

7.2 This MOU is not intended to be of legal force and effect in any manner whatsoever, and

shall not create a legal relationship between the parties. No Parties shall have the power

to bind the others without their consent.