New Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council meets

The new Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council is meeting for the first time in Brisbane today on the first anniversary of the National Apology to the stolen generations.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the new council would strengthen the link between the Bligh Government and Indigenous communities by giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives the opportunity to directly advise government.

“This is an important initiative that will help the Bligh Government work with Indigenous communities to bring about real and sustained change that will help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“Forming this council is one of those practical steps. It means that representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will have the ability to provide advice directly to the Queensland Government on matters that affect them.”

Ms Nelson-Carr will chair the 14-member council. The council will meet four times a year and members have been appointed for a two-year term.

“The council will provide advice on the Bligh Government’s preparations for the special Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) meeting on Closing the Gap, scheduled for later this year,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“We want to talk with the members of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council about how we can realistically meet the CoAG targets that have been set.

“These targets include closing the gap in life expectancy within a generation, and halving the gap in child mortality rates, in literacy and numeracy, and in employment outcomes within the next 10 to 12 years.

“Achieving these targets requires expertise and that’s why we need to tap into the knowledge of these council members, who range broadly in age and experience, and who hail from across the state.”

While working towards the COAG goals, the advisory council will also work towards the ambitions and outcomes of Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland, which aims for a smart, healthy and fair state in 2020.

The Council is the result of a suggestion raised at the Queensland 2020: Ideas to Action Forum in May 2008. In addition to the CoAG Indigenous Reforms, the Advisory Council will advise the Legislative Committee of the Queensland Parliament on the wording of a preamble to the Queensland Constitution.

Note to editors: Full list of council members follows.

Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280

Inaugural Advisory Council Members

Mrs Estelle Bowen (Hope Vale - Guugu Yimmithirr)
Ms Robyn Parkes-Sandri (Buderim - Gungarri descent)
Ms Selina Hill (Bundaberg - Wakka Wakka)
Ms Georgina Archer (Brisbane - Torres Strait Islander)
Professor Cindy Shannon (Brisbane - Ngugi from Moreton Island)
Dr Mark Wenitong (Cairns - Kabi Kabi)
Mr Kevin O'Brien (Brisbane - Kaurereg & Meriam)
Mr James William (Brisbane - Kulkalgal ya)
Ms Sonia Minniecon (Brisbane - Kabbi Kabbi with family links to Mackay)
Mr Max Lenoy (Townsville - Warungnu and Jirribal (maternal) and KukuYalanji and Walagama (paternal))
Mr Napau 'Pedro' Stephen (Thursday Island – Torres Strait Islander Ugaramle/ Meriam Magaramle)
Ms Pearl Eatts (Winton - Pitta-Pitta, Maiawali-Karuwali)
Mr Norman Clarke (Brisbane - Kanolu)
Mr Nathan Jarro (Brisbane - Ghangulu and Bidjara)