Published Thursday, 22 May, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Blueprint for Indigenous content and employment in commercial media
The Centre for Aboriginal Independence and Enterprise (CAIE) is launching the ‘Blueprint for the integration and employment of Aboriginal people into the commercial media industry’ today.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative had funded CAIE to develop the blueprint in consultation with various media organisations.
“Lifting the number of Indigenous people employed as journalists, researchers, writers, on-air talent or in technical production roles in the mainstream media will help highlight the positive roles they can and are playing in other areas of our society,” Mr Mickel said.
“The stories we hear about Indigenous communities and people, both here in Queensland and from around the country, affect the way Indigenous people see themselves as well as how others see them.
“With more Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders involved in reporting the news or developing other content for TV, radio, print or on-line the public will benefit from their different points of view, particularly on Indigenous stories and issues.
“Employing more Indigenous people will hopefully lead to more positive and balanced coverage so that negative stereotypes can be broken down and successes can be celebrated.”
Centre for Aboriginal Independence and Enterprise Chairman Wayne Coolwell said he hoped the Blueprint would have far reaching effects.
"This is an historic initiative which we're hoping will eventually spread across the country,” Mr Coolwell said.
“I want to dedicate this document to those Aboriginal voices from the past who always wanted something like this to happen but never quite imagined it. This is for you and the start of something wonderful.
“Also I’d like to give special thanks for the support from Channel 7 and Austereo."
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving assistance 69 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Centre for Aboriginal Independence and Enterprise Chairman Wayne Coolwell on 3289 4190 or wayne.coolwell@caie.com.au or
Consultant: Carlie McFarland on 3630 1512 or 0419 760 771 or eventsbycarlie@yahoo.com.au
Ministerial Contact: Chris Brown on 3237 1944
May 22, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative had funded CAIE to develop the blueprint in consultation with various media organisations.
“Lifting the number of Indigenous people employed as journalists, researchers, writers, on-air talent or in technical production roles in the mainstream media will help highlight the positive roles they can and are playing in other areas of our society,” Mr Mickel said.
“The stories we hear about Indigenous communities and people, both here in Queensland and from around the country, affect the way Indigenous people see themselves as well as how others see them.
“With more Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders involved in reporting the news or developing other content for TV, radio, print or on-line the public will benefit from their different points of view, particularly on Indigenous stories and issues.
“Employing more Indigenous people will hopefully lead to more positive and balanced coverage so that negative stereotypes can be broken down and successes can be celebrated.”
Centre for Aboriginal Independence and Enterprise Chairman Wayne Coolwell said he hoped the Blueprint would have far reaching effects.
"This is an historic initiative which we're hoping will eventually spread across the country,” Mr Coolwell said.
“I want to dedicate this document to those Aboriginal voices from the past who always wanted something like this to happen but never quite imagined it. This is for you and the start of something wonderful.
“Also I’d like to give special thanks for the support from Channel 7 and Austereo."
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving assistance 69 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Centre for Aboriginal Independence and Enterprise Chairman Wayne Coolwell on 3289 4190 or wayne.coolwell@caie.com.au or
Consultant: Carlie McFarland on 3630 1512 or 0419 760 771 or eventsbycarlie@yahoo.com.au
Ministerial Contact: Chris Brown on 3237 1944
May 22, 2008