Statement from Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr

Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Partnerships Queensland Baseline Report 2006 tabled in Parliament in February 2007 was a detailed and thorough report which superseded an internal paper prepared by a staff member in 2005.

“The Baseline report gave the first, full and frank picture of life for Indigenous Queenslanders by any Queensland Government and another Baseline report will be released this year,” she said.

“The Baseline report has set the benchmark upon which the government will judge its performance as we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the community and corporate sectors, to improve the lives of Indigenous Queenslanders.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said the internal paper, a desktop analysis, had been based on 2003-04 statistics. It was shelved because of concerns over its merit, and an independent review recommended it not be released or even used as a departmental working paper.

“While this paper was never released publicly, there have been significant reports and information collected on the situation in Aurukun over the years, with a range of initiatives being undertaken to address youth justice concerns,” she said.

These include:
Sale of Opal fuel in Aurukun from November 2005.

$521,000 committed since 2006 from the Alcohol and Other Substances Demand Reduction Program for activities to support young people and families.

In 2006-07 $100,000 for the Aurukun Public Intoxication Program. The program services assist people intoxicated in public spaces to reduce harm and increase public safety.

Three Managing Public Intoxication Program services are up-and-running – Woorabinda, Mornington Island and Aurukun.

Aurukun is serviced by the Rural and Remote Youth Justice Service Centre – staff from Cairns regularly visit, attend court and provide programs and services to young people on youth justice orders from this community.

Appointment of an Indigenous Conferencing support Officer and an Indigenous Service Support Officer.

$0.52 million for demand reduction programs (such as holiday activities for youth), and $0.194 million in youth development triennial funding for the Aurukun Integrated Youth Service, run by the local council.

$0.17 million in triennial funding to the Koolkan Woyan Min Child Care and Family Support Service (runs childcare activities).

The Aurukun Local Partnerships Project was established in Aurukun from 1 July 2007. The project aims to coordinate the delivery of government services into Aurukun, and improve the work readiness of the Wik and Wik Waya people.

$0.22 million in triennial homelessness funding for the Ma’aathan Women’s Shelter.

The State Government has made a commitment to work with the Commonwealth and local councils to begin a Welfare Reform Trial in four Cape communities – Aurukun, Hopevale, Coen and Mossman Gorge.

Media Contact: Alexia Deegan 0400 767 490