Pitt says Indigenous focus to be on actions that deliver results

Communities Minister Warren Pitt says he will be focused on “actions that deliver results” in his role as Minister responsible for Indigenous policy issues.

Mr Pitt said he was confident the government’s move to integrate the former Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy into the Department of Communities would prove to be a success.

Mr Pitt said he was conscious of criticism of the move, but it had been done for the right reasons. It meant that policy would now be more closely aligned with service delivery.

Also, by being part of a bigger department, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy would have greater stature and clout.

This would improve its capacity to negotiate with other departments and its ability to get results on behalf of Indigenous people and communities.

Mr Pitt said that as a senior Cabinet Minister he would be a strong and experienced advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and interests.

“I want to reassure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities that the government continues to be totally committed to this very important area of responsibility and service delivery.

Mr Pitt said the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy would be strengthened by being part of a larger department.

“With this move we are bringing policy closer to service delivery. We have tried having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy as a separate, stand alone department.

“Now we are bringing it into the Communities portfolio with the view and objective of making it work better.

“There are times when being small is good, and there are times when being bigger is better.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy will benefit from becoming part of a bigger department.

“There will be benefits also from being part of a department that already has responsibility for managing a range of important community issues, such as families, child care, youth, juvenile justice and strengthening non-government organisations.

“As a stand alone department, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy was small and did not have the advantages that come with size and scale.

“We have a very strong capacity for policy development, program management and service delivery within our Communities Department, and this will help strengthen what we can achieve in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy.”

Mr Pitt met today with representatives of the Aboriginal Local Government Association of Queensland for initial discussions on hearing and responding to their views and issues.

“I place a very high priority on hearing first hand what are the issues of most importance and concern to the elected representatives of Indigenous communities, and one of the ways I will get to know that is through liaising and consulting with the ALGAQ.”

Mr Pitt said he would meet with other representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over coming weeks.

“I’m aware some individuals have had a number of things to say, and I look forward to meeting with them and others to hear their points of view.

“I understand Sam Watson has questioned my knowledge and experience with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters.

“I can assure Mr Watson that my knowledge, my first-hand experience and my close association with the issues that matter most to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities is far more extensive than he imagines.”

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286