PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 7 August 1986
JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE CHIEF MINISTER
OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY, MR HATTON
The Prime minister and the Chief Minister of the Northern
Territory, Hir Hatton, today announced that a project to research
and publish an Aboriginal Pharmacopoeia had been granted funding
under the joint Commonwealth-State Bicentennial Commemorative
Program. The Pharmacopoeia project involves the evaluation and
documentation of Aboriginal traditional medicines and an
assessment of their-use in modern health care. The project will
make a major contribution to modern health care programs run by
Aboriginal Health Workers and to the wider Australian community.
The Aboriginal community will be actively involved throughout the
project. Tihey will act as editorial advisers and artists, and
Aboriginal holders of traditional herbal knowledge will
participate in the gathering of information.
Mr Hawke said that the Commonwealth was pleased to be associated
with this distinctive and imaginative project.
" The publication of an Aboriginal Pharmacopoeia captures the
essence of the Bicentenary. The project entwines the threads of
the past and the present. Traditional knowledge, born from the
Aboriginals' long and intimate relationship with the earth, will
be complemented by modern scientific methods and enquiry. The
project is an exciting example of the theme of the Bicentenary,
' Living Together'
Mr Hatton said that the project would help safeguard knowledge of
traditional herbal lore and contribute to modern health care.
The Aboriginal Pharmacopoeia project will cost a total of
$ 446,000, half of which will be contributed by each Government.
Other projects in a joint program valued at some $ 5 million in
current prices are currently being developed by the Northern
Territory Government in consultation with the Commonwealth
Government and are expected to be announced progressively over
the next 12 months. -1, A> UOSYT1VRWALO I_ A&,&