Remote FNQ licensing service to continue under Palaszczuk Government

Published Tuesday, 29 May, 2018 at 11:00 AM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Far flung communities of Far North Queensland continue to have access to licencing and identification services, thanks to the Indigenous Driver Licensing Program (IDLP).

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the program had provided remote services to more than 20 communities across the Gulf, Cape and Torres Strait since 2007. 

“We are committed to making our services available to all Queenslanders, and in an effort to combat low licencing rates we will continue to service FNQ,” she said.

“The program generally services communities on a six-monthly basis, conducting learner, provisional and heavy vehicle testing.

“It also facilitates licence renewals, issuing Adult Proof of Age Cards and other Transport and Main Roads services.

“As an added bonus, it also aims to increase economic participation in these communities, lower incarceration rates due to non-compliance of licensing requirements, and achieve positive health and social wellbeing outcomes.”

In Lockhart River on Cape York today, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Indigenous Driver Licensing Unit (IDLU) would also continue to support at-risk groups across North Queensland with their licences.

“We partnered with Queensland Corrective Services to provide learner licence testing to eligible people in the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, FNQ late last year,” he said.

“We will continue to deliver these services this year as well, visiting the centre every two months.

“In addition to delivering licensing services, the unit also supports road safety awareness and education initiatives in remote communities.

“They work together with other agencies, organisations and private groups to achieve positive outcomes for disadvantaged members of the community.

“The licensing team are highly respected across the region, and are committed to improving access to employment, education, health, social, and cultural activities for everyone in remote and Indigenous communities.”

The IDLU work closely with the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships (DATSIP), the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and the local Job Network Agencies (JNA).

Licensing Open Day activities are scheduled in Tully and Mount Isa to extend services to Indigenous communities in the Cassowary Coast region and near Mount Isa.

For more information, including details about upcoming trips, visit https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Community-and-environment/Indigenous-programs/Indigenous-Driver-Licensing-Program.

Background:

The communities to receive the service are:

  • Aurukun
  • Badu Island
  • Bamaga
  • Doomadgee
  • Hopevale
  • Kowanyama
  • Lockhart River
  • Mapoon
  • Mornington Island
  • Mossman
  • Murray Island
  • Normanton
  • Palm Island
  • Pormpuraaw
  • Saibai Island
  • Thursday Island
  • Weipa
  • Wujal Wujal
  • Yarrabah
  • Yorke Island

 

ENDS

Media contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447355565