New deal gives voice to Aborigines
20.05.2000
A BOLD plan put forward a year ago by Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson to make indigenous people responsible for themselves and less dependent on welfare has been largely adopted by the Queensland Government.
It now will seek to enlist the support of the Federal Government for areas of the plan outside its jurisdiction.
In Cairns yesterday, Premier Peter Beattie released details of the Government's response which outlines a partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Under the plan, no homes would be built on communities, no businesses started and no economic strategies adopted without the consultation and approval of the people affected.
The plan was based on the people ``taking responsibility for the development of their families and communities, with the Government playing a supporting, enabling role''.
Mr Pearson said the Government's response was everything he could hope for.
``We now have the ability to confront problems in communities, with the bureaucrats sitting around the table with community leaders and working through solutions,'' he said. ``The big issues of investment and engaging in the real economy, as distinct from remaining in the welfare trap, are what now have to be addressed.''
Mr Beattie said the partnership was a plan which should have been produced 20 years ago. He intended to involve the Federal Government and then attract private enterprise businesses to establish or support investment in communities.
The proposal stresses job opportunities and training must be provided with infrastructure projects. Indigenous residents would be expected to properly involve themselves in health, law and education programmes.
``This will include something as basic as ensuring that children attend schools,'' Mr Beattie said.
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Aboriginal deal sealed
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``School should be fun and children should want to go, so we will find out from the communities how to achieve this,'' Mr Beattie said.
``This partnership will cop plenty of criticism, I expect that. But it is the first step. What has been done to date has patently failed.''
Mr Beattie said he would invite Prime Minister John Howard to a summit in Cairns in August.
Aboriginal and Islander leaders would discuss the partnership proposals and government departments and agencies then would be directed to act on the matters on which agreement had been reached.
``This is the most significant issue my Government has confronted and we are going to get it right,'' Mr Beattie said. ``Aboriginal children of today deserve to live better lives and to achieve their potential. This partnership is the start of that.''
Jacob Wolmby, chairman of Aurukun Aboriginal Community near Weipa, pledged support for the partnership.
Mr Wolmby said the economic opportunities would give his people options they had not had before.
Mr Beattie said no extra funding would be provided for the proposal other than what was already available in the various departments. No money had been or would be paid to Mr Pearson for his work.
Mr Beattie said the partnership would seek opportunities for local people to attract new investment into exploration for new resources, mining and tourism.
``We also will look at the potential for commercialising the existing intellectual, cultural and natural capital of Cape York, and identify the opportunities for participation in the commercial development of marine resources,'' he said.
