$3.45 million for Tablelands Child Safety Facility
Published Friday, 04 May, 2007 at 10:17 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
A property containing five houses will be purchased on the Atherton Tableland for indigenous children from West Cape York who have been abused.
The Beattie Government is providing $3.45 million in funding - $650,000 towards the purchase of the property plus an additional $2.8 million over three years to run the residence.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle said the residence is a joint project which will be run by Mission Australia and the West Coast Cape York Traditional Land Owners under a service agreement with the State Government.
“It can be extremely traumatic for an indigenous child to be removed from their community but there are times when this has to happen for their own safety.
“I congratulate Mission Australia and the West Coast Cape York Traditional Land Owners for coming up with an innovative solution.
“The children, who often have special and complex needs, will be treated at this residence in a culturally appropriate environment where they are completely safe.
“But they will not lose contact with their customs and culture because Elders from the West Cape communities will spend periods living on site.
“Maintaining this contact helps these children feel secure. It is also a major benefit when it comes time for a child to return to their community,” Ms Boyle said.
The property to be purchased is on more than 16 hectares near Atherton and contains five houses and a large area of rainforest.
Ms Boyle said funding for the residence shows the State Government is serious about addressing child protection concerns in indigenous communities.
“We are committed to providing services that take into account indigenous culture and this residence is a great example of this.
“It’s also an example of indigenous communities taking an active role in protecting their children,” Ms Boyle said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
4 May 2007
The Beattie Government is providing $3.45 million in funding - $650,000 towards the purchase of the property plus an additional $2.8 million over three years to run the residence.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle said the residence is a joint project which will be run by Mission Australia and the West Coast Cape York Traditional Land Owners under a service agreement with the State Government.
“It can be extremely traumatic for an indigenous child to be removed from their community but there are times when this has to happen for their own safety.
“I congratulate Mission Australia and the West Coast Cape York Traditional Land Owners for coming up with an innovative solution.
“The children, who often have special and complex needs, will be treated at this residence in a culturally appropriate environment where they are completely safe.
“But they will not lose contact with their customs and culture because Elders from the West Cape communities will spend periods living on site.
“Maintaining this contact helps these children feel secure. It is also a major benefit when it comes time for a child to return to their community,” Ms Boyle said.
The property to be purchased is on more than 16 hectares near Atherton and contains five houses and a large area of rainforest.
Ms Boyle said funding for the residence shows the State Government is serious about addressing child protection concerns in indigenous communities.
“We are committed to providing services that take into account indigenous culture and this residence is a great example of this.
“It’s also an example of indigenous communities taking an active role in protecting their children,” Ms Boyle said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
4 May 2007