Bligh Government commits to protect the kids of Yarrabah

Abused and neglected children at Yarrabah will have a safe place to live in their own community thanks to a $140,000 a year Bligh Government commitment sealed today.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today signed a statement of commitment with the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council committing to the establishment of a safe house and family intervention service in the community.

Mrs Keech joined Yarrabah Mayor Percy Neal at the community’s council chambers to sign the partnership agreement.

The council also committed to working with the non-government organisation that the government will fund to run the safe house.

Mrs Keech said the Government and Council were working together to provide a safe place to live for local children and young people who are unable to live safely at home because of abuse or neglect.

“Having a safe place to stay in their community and living with local carers is another innovative solution designed to protect children while ensuring they can maintain links with their culture,” she said.

“We know how important it is that children maintain their cultural ties and kinship connections, but they also need to be safe.

“That’s why the Bligh Government is funding a safe house in Yarrabah so that children and young people don’t have to be placed outside their communities for their safety.

“I’m really pleased to have such a strong commitment from the council to help us provide this service. I know that Mayor Neal is working hard to ensure Yarrabah is a child friendly community and I look forward to continuing this partnership.”

The house will also have a family intervention service, with community workers providing intensive support and practical advice to families.

The Bligh Government will provide about $140,000 to run the service and will be calling tenders next month for a non-government organisation to run the service.

The Bligh Government has also committed to providing safe houses on eastern Cape York Peninsula, the Torres Strait, northern Cape York Peninsula, Mornington Island, Doomadgee, Palm Island and the Cape York communities of Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama, Aurukun and Weipa/Napranum.

“These safe houses on Indigenous communities will provide immediate safe places to live while children’s circumstances are being assessed, longer term places to live for children who are unable to return to their families, and a transition for children returning home to their community,” Mrs Keech said.

Media Contact: Matt Hyde 3235 9236