Fiona Simpson MP, Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, the Queensland Government is delivering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with better housing, health, employment, education, tourism and critical infrastructure projects. 

The Queensland Government is working in partnership with First Peoples to empower home ownership, school attendance, better health outcomes and a brighter future. We are working to deliver tangible outcomes and continue to close the gap.

Infrastructure

Residents from Woorabinda in Central Queensland are currently boiling water so it’s safe to drink. We’ve made an $18 million commitment for urgent upgrades to their water treatment plant and called on the Federal Government to match our funding. In Far North Queensland, we are also delivering crucial water supply improvements and infrastructure upgrades for the communities of Aurukun and Kowanyama. 

Housing

We know housing is critical to foster positive outcomes for Indigenous children, so we are unlocking new pathways to home ownership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities through the rent-to-buy model on Palm Island in North Queensland. These foundational priorities are a key factor in building dignity, improving quality of life, and taking practical action on reconciliation.

Construction has commenced on a new social housing project in Townsville, and an Indigenous-led project in Moreton Bay will provide more affordable and secure housing for Elders and youth. By working together with local Indigenous leaders, we can deliver housing for some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in the community.

Health

It’s vital we work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to help improve a range of social and emotional wellbeing outcomes, including reducing suicide rates. We’ve provided grants to community organisations who are working on initiatives, focused on families and young people on the ground. We recognise the importance of health monitoring for children – which is why we have funded free vision, hearing and speech development checks in kindergartens and childcare centres across Queensland.

There is also additional support in place to help ensure every woman giving birth to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies has access to high-quality clinical and culturally capable maternity services. It’s important that these initiatives are community-led and driven, because local Indigenous communities know best what works to support their wellbeing and it’s critical we draw on this expertise.

Employment

We want to do everything we can to bolster economic security and workforce participation within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, by delivering practical solutions and skills to improve employment opportunities. Jobs are being created from Indigenous conservation projects across Queensland. We’re delivering real, on-ground results for the environment, while strengthening the capacity of Traditional Owner groups to lead future conservation efforts.

We’re also supporting Indigenous fashion and textile businesses by investing to help them grow new creative partnerships, share their stories and cultures with a wider audience, and expand their production to meet market demand. Helping these businesses to upscale has wide-ranging socioeconomic benefits, including greater financial security for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and business owners, more skilled workers and greater job opportunities. It’s about action, empowerment and long-term impact to grow a sustainable Indigenous fashion and textile industry in Queensland.

Education

Queensland was once home to more than 100 Indigenous languages and dialects. Today, around 50 traditional languages are still spoken, but fewer than 20 are used as first languages. We know learning languages expands our understanding of cultures and history, none more so than our Australian Indigenous languages. To help preserve and promote the use of traditional languages, we’re investing in projects supporting art, drama, music and film, yarning circles, audio recordings, workshops, signage, books and posters.

Involving Traditional Owners in projects to protect the Great Barrier Reef is vital, because they hold deep cultural knowledge and a strong spiritual connection to sea and Country built over thousands of years. We’re teaching young people about environmental and cultural history, by providing a grant pool for Indigenous projects that promote health of country, whilst we work to manage land and Great Barrier Reef conservation.

Tourism and events

We wantto preserve and promote Indigenous culture, while ensuring sustainable tourism opportunities in one of our most treasured natural landscapes in Far North Queensland. The construction of the new Daintree Cultural and Ecotourism Centre, provides more opportunities for Traditional Owners to share their rich culture with the world.

We continue to recognise inspiring initiatives and partnerships with the Queensland Reconciliation Awards celebrating, supporting and strengthening First Nations communities.  \

Indigenous associations and corporations, schools, sporting clubs, and local businesses were given grants to facilitate Reconciliation Week events that strengthen social cohesion between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Queenslanders.

Cultural support

We’re continuing to support the important work of legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child-rearing practices, providing access to identification documentation. We recognised the value of this nation-leading cultural recognition initiative, which is an integral part of Torres Strait Islander customary law.