First Peoples Ethics Committee Starts

Victoria’s first Aboriginal-led human research ethics committee has begun operating, overseeing medical research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the state.

The Aboriginal Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), delivered by the Victorian Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation (VACCHO), will review research involving First Peoples to assess ethical standards, cultural safety and community benefit.

The committee is part of the Victorian Aboriginal Health, Medical and Wellbeing Research Accord. VACCHO received $4.5 million in state funding to implement the accord, with the HREC forming a key part of the initiative.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Medical Research Ben Carroll said the committee would give Aboriginal families a greater role in research involving their communities.

“We’re giving Aboriginal families a say over medical research that involves them – that means more ethical research with better research outcomes,” he said.

“We’re helping strengthen community trust and accountability in medical research involving Aboriginal people.”

VACCHO Acting Chief Executive Officer Jim O’Shea said the committee filled a long-standing gap in Victoria’s research system.

“The VACCHO HREC now fills a gap and provides a rigorous, culturally embedded review process that finally puts Aboriginal research back where it belongs – in Aboriginal hands,” he said.

“An Aboriginal Human Research Ethics Committee review is not just best practice; it is the mark of responsible research.”