$100,000 UNVEILED FOR REFERENDUM SCHOLARSHIPS: PREMIER

The Queensland Government has announced $100,000 to create an
education fund as part of celebrations recognising the 40th
anniversary of the 1967 referendum on Indigenous rights.

Premier Peter Beattie and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Partnerships Minister Warren Pitt said the May 27, 1967, referendum
was a defining event in Australia's history.

"The '67 referendum was a milestone in the reconciliation movement and
it's 40th anniversary during Reconciliation Week this week is a time
to reflect," Mr Beattie said.

"It is a time to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people as the first Australians and to celebrate their unique culture,
languages and spiritual relationships," he said.

"Through initiatives such as the new scholarships, my Government is
also looking forward and helping to develop the next generation of
Aboriginal and Torres Straight leaders."

Mr Beattie said the Queensland Government's initiatives marking the
40th anniversary included:
* a special State function at Parliament House on Tuesday, May 29;
* $100,000 to establish a perpetual education bursary for
Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying at
a Queensland university in their second or third year of study. The
scholarship is $5,000 annually and will be administered by the
Queensland Community Foundation;
* sponsorship of $100,000 to La Boite Theatre Company for a new
production about Oodgeroo Noonuccal, one of the key Indigenous leaders
during the 1967 referendum campaign;
* $40,000 to support the Centre for Indigenous Cultural Policy;
* $30,000 to support the Centre for Aboriginal Independence and
Enterprise;
* sponsorship of $40,000 for the Queensland Indigenous Sports
Awards;
* production of a DVD about the 1967 referendum for the Young
Indigenous Leaders Forum which will be held next week.

The 1967 referendum, which asked voters to acknowledge Indigenous
Australians as citizens and give the Commonwealth Government the power
to make laws regarding Indigenous people was passed with 90% of
eligible Australians voting "yes".

Mr Beattie applauded the efforts of Queensland's Indigenous leaders
who fought for recognition in the lead-up to the 1967 referendum and
the years that have followed.

"Queensland's Indigenous leaders, such as Oodgeroo Noonuccal and
Lambert McBride, were central to the success of the historic
referendum campaign," said the Premier.

Minister Pitt said the Queensland Government was advancing
reconciliation through its main policy framework for Indigenous
Queenslanders, Partnerships Queensland.

"Our vision is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Queenslanders have their cultures affirmed, heritage sustained and
they have the same prospects for health, prosperity and quality of
life as other Queenslanders," Mr Pitt said.

"We face many challenges to turn around the entrenched and
intergenerational nature of Indigenous disadvantage however we are
firmly committed to working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples to improve their standard of living,"
he said.

"When this is achieved, we will have made substantial progress in
fulfilling the expectations raised 40 years ago when the referendum
was won."

Media Contacts: Premier's Office 3224 4500
Minister's Office 3235 4280