Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Dec 2021
A discourse analysis of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 policy response.
To analyse the implicit discourses within the COVID-19 policy response for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote communities. ⋯ The policy response perpetuates an ongoing paternalistic discourse where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must be controlled for the sake of their health, informed by notions of Indigeneity as deficient. This stands in contrast with the work of community-controlled health organisations, advocacy by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for and against restrictions, and examples of communities protecting themselves. Implications for public health: Unilateral government intervention creates limiting discourses of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In contrast, ongoing COVID-19 responses can build on the strengths of and work done by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, leaders, and communities.