A discussion paper looking at the Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and its impact on their health argues legislators need to be more legally-accountable for policy outcomes.

The ‘Legally Invisible' paper was released yesterday by the Lowitja Institute.

The author, Adjunct Associate Professor Genevieve Howse, says the report responds to widespread problems in policy-making and governance of health care of Indigenous Australians.

She says a lack of recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution and other laws has led to uncertainty about governments' responsibilities in Indigenous health outcomes.

Genevieve Howse:

It's clear that there are health consequences from some of the ways the law has impacted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  The report suggests that, to address this, it really needs to start with recognition in the Constitution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia's first people, but also to entrench the rights of health, but then to create a Commonwealth law or a series of state and territory laws which then entrench responsibility for governments.

Voice ends.