Blue card scheme supporting First Nations Queenslanders expanded

• First Nations Queenslanders will have more support getting a blue card with the expansion of a new initiative to Palm Island, following the success of its pilot program in Yarrabah.
• The Yarrabah Blue Card Liaison Officer has fielded over 600 inquiries from more than 200 community members since August 2023.
• The newly appointed Palm Island Blue Card Liaison Officer was welcomed into the community during NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Palm Island is getting a dedicated First Nations blue card liaison officer to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples wanting to work with children in the remote community.

The Miles government initiative follows a successful pilot program supporting First Nations peoples wanting a blue card in the Far North Queensland coastal town of Yarrabah, which was launched in August 2023. 

Bwgcolman man Gary Prior has been appointed as the Palm Island Blue Card Liaison Officer.

The initiative will be managed locally by the Palm Island Community Company. 

The Yarrabah pilot, which was co-designed with the local community, was the first of its kind and is known locally as Ngambu Gadigadi Gu, which means ‘completing the journey for children’. 

Since the pilot launched, the local officer, Gurrumbilbarra, Wulgurukab, Tjapukai, Yidinji, Kuku Yalanji woman Nita Ambrym, has fielded more than 600 inquiries seeking information and support to obtain a blue card. 

Ms Ambrym has engaged directly with more than 200 community members since beginning in the role and the response from the community has been so positive, everyone who has given feedback, has rated the service 100 per cent.

There has been a 31 per cent increase in applications finalised in Yarrabah compared to the year before and requests for information from community members have been resolved on average, 15 business days faster than in 2022/23.

The dedicated support service has helped Yarrabah community members engage with the blue card system, meaning more local First Nations peoples are able to start working or volunteering with children. 

Yarrabah and Palm Island were chosen for the First Nations blue card liaison officer initiative due to their size and levels of engagement with the blue card system. 

The First Nations blue card liaison officer initiative provides a local support service in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that helps First Nations Queenslanders engage with the blue card system. 

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath;

“We are very pleased with the results of the pilot program in Yarrabah and are excited to be expanding the initiative to Palm Island. 

“We know that First Nations Queenslanders have experienced barriers while engaging with the blue card system. 

“That is why we introduced our First Nations blue card liaison officer initiative, to help make sure the blue card system is more accessible for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations. 

Quotes attributable to Townsville MP and Palm Island Ministerial Champion, Scott Stewart:

“Palm Island is one of the most unique places in Queensland which is why it’s important have tailored help like this for the community.

“The initiative goes beyond paperwork and processes; it is about delivering culturally appropriate resources and support as well as building relationships with the community. 

“It is all about keeping Queensland children safe, improving employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, and building stronger communities. 

“The initiative is part of the Miles Government’s broader work to address the social and health challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.” 

Quotes attributable to Palm Island Blue Card Liaison Officer and Bwgcolman man, Gary Prior: 

“I have a much more thorough understanding of who needs a blue card and when they need one, which will really help Mob in community get more jobs.”

Quotes attributable to Wugu Nyambil General Manager, Robert Friskin: 

“The blue card liaison officer role has significantly improved the employment prospects and created many opportunities for residents seeking to work with children in Yarrabah.

“Wugu Nyambil commend the team at Blue Card Services and the Miles Government for the vision to provide and support this service.”

ENDS