The future of Indigenous health in Australia and the pressing issue of getting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into medical and health education are the focus of a major symposium at UNSW next week.

The LIME (Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education) Connection II conference will bring together delegates from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to discuss their experiences in Indigenous health education and practice.

The symposium begins with a public lecture on Sunday 23 September and continues with a full and dynamic program for the next two days. Delegates will include medical educators, practitioners, allied health workers, community representatives and those with an interest in Indigenous health.

Keynote speakers include:

Federal Minister for Health, The Hon. Tony Abbott, will address the 9am Monday session.

The event is hosted by UNSW's Faculty of Medicine in conjunction with the Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand and the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA).

What: The LIME Connection II public lecture and conferenceWhen: Public lecture - 7.30pm, Sunday 23 September - ALL WELCOME (tickets $15 at door) Conference - Monday and Tuesday 24-25 September, from 9amWhere: John Niland Scientia, UNSW Kensington campus

All participants are available for interview and media are welcome to attend. For more information please visit the website.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Steve Offner, UNSW Media Office, 9385 1583, 0424 580 208, Dr Lisa Jackson Pulver, 0404859989, or Tanya Ward, UNSW Faculty of Medicine 9385 2854