Budget to improve quality of life for Indigenous Queenslanders

The 2007–08 State Budget has provided a multi-million dollar package of initiatives across numerous portfolios as part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to tackling disadvantage among Indigenous Queenslanders.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Warren Pitt said the package of measures highlighted the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

“The 2007–08 Budget funds practical initiatives across the broad spectrum of government services to help the government meet our vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders,” Mr Pitt said.

“Our vision is for Indigenous Queenslanders to have their cultures affirmed and their heritage sustained, and that they enjoy the same prospects for health, prosperity and quality of life as other Queenslanders.

“The Budget initiatives are based on a partnership involving all Queensland Government ministers, who are working with Indigenous Queenslanders to make a real difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in relation to health, education and justice.”

Mr Pitt said the Indigenous-related Budget initiatives focused on:
• reforming policy and service delivery
• providing choices for people and communities, including engaging with the real economy
• supporting strategic alliances, including with the corporate sector
• building community ownership and leadership
• fostering cultural esteem
• developing innovative models of service delivery.

Key whole-of-government directions in the 2007-08 State Budget include:

• Providing $2.16 million in 2007–08 to deal with disadvantage experienced in local communities by implementing the Safe Haven services on Palm Island, Cherbourg, Coen and Mornington Island. These services provide timely and effective responses to children experiencing family violence.

• Improving the standard of housing and the housing options available to Indigenous people with $86.3 million allocated to maintain, build, upgrade and replace dwellings in 34 discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

• Improving housing with a $60 million four-year housing improvement program for rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to provide planned maintenance, upgrade and replace existing dwellings and construct new dwellings.

• Addressing environmental health needs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with $49 million allocated in 2007-08 under the Mainland and Torres Strait Infrastructure Program. This includes $14.5 million to continue the Torres Strait Major Infrastructure Program, subject to matched Australian Government funding.

• Providing Indigenous councils and other organisations with $9 million over three years to fund and support opportunities for Indigenous people to participate in sport and active recreation in their communities.

• $11.373 million in new and reallocated funding for the Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program to divert Indigenous offenders who are alcohol-dependent or high-risk drinkers towards alcohol and drug treatment and case management.

• $450,000 over three years to develop and implement the North Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Awareness and Education Project, to provide an overarching culturally effective communication strategy that connects and supports local initiatives to address alcohol misuse.

• $9 million over four years, matched by the Australian Government, to enhance vocational training and skills development for Indigenous adults in regional and remote communities, to ensure Indigenous Queenslanders can take advantage of the Australian Government’s Work Skills Vouchers Initiative.

• $57.475 million over four years for the ongoing Department of Main Road’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander component., which provides assistance to Indigenous communities for roads and transport infrastructure.

• Continuing the delivery of culturally appropriate justice to Indigenous offenders through the Murri Court.

• Development of the Queensland Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Health Strategy 2007–2012.

Mr Pitt said the Budget also created business and economic opportunities for Indigenous people, with targeted funding for education and employment initiatives and support for Indigenous enterprise development.

“The Indigenous Employment Strategy will provide customised employment and training assistance to achieve sustainable employment outcomes,” he said.

“More than 2800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will receive assistance in 2007–08.

“Improved retention and completion rates for Indigenous apprentices, trainees and vocational students and the development of employment and training pathways have led to jobs on major regional projects for many people,” he said.

Mr Pitt said he was confident that the whole-of-government approach would also contribute to improved educational performance, employment, child and youth behaviour, and income.

“The Budget initiatives represent a significant step to improve policy innovation, accountability and leadership across government on Indigenous affairs” he said.

“While there is much more work to be done, this investment represents part of this government’s ongoing commitment to turning around Indigenous disadvantage, and ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders share in the benefits of this great state,” he said.

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4280