Premier Peter Beattie presented Palm Island Council with a five point plan when Police Minister Judy Spence and Child Safety Minister Mike Reynolds, the Member for Townsville, visited the island today (Sunday).

Police & Corrective Services, Judy Spence
pol...@cabinet.qld.gov.au

28/11/04

Mr Beattie said he was pleased with the positive nature of the discussions and with a decision to work together to provide a positive future for the community.

1. Restoring law and order

The first and absolute priority is the restoration of law and order on Palm Island.

The Queensland Police Service under the leadership of Commissioner Bob Atkinson is working with the community now and is making good progress.

I again call on the elders and leaders in the Palm Island community to continue to work co-operatively with the Police. We need to work together on this and it is essential that the elders use their influence in the community.

Police and Crime and Misconduct Commission investigations are under way. The Police Commissioner is keeping me informed as things are progressing and I am confident that safety and security can be restored for the community.

2. Re-establishing services

We will re-establish services.

Minister for Emergency Services Chris Cummins will activate the relevant components of the Disaster Management Plan for the area. This will result in a co-ordinated set of actions from all Government agencies operating on Palm Island, and the return of Government service providers to the Island.

It will include the following community recovery activities:

* Community conferencing and dispute resolution;

* Grief counselling and mediation;

* Arranging community meetings with Government representatives; and

* Any other activities that assist the community.

I have also asked the Minister for Communities and the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, Liddy Clark, to investigate the adequacy and functioning of all services provided to the community, and, if necessary, to develop with the community a new model which better meets local needs.

This will involve discussions with the Council, relevant State Government departments, and the Commonwealth Government. The Ministers will make their first report to me before Christmas, and present a strategy to the first Cabinet meeting in the New Year.

3. Rebuilding infrastructure as a matter of urgency

The Government will start building a new police station which will include modern watch-house facilities. A new courthouse will also be built as a priority.

The Queensland Government has allocated substantial funding for community infrastructure and services on Palm Island, such as a multi-purpose community and youth centre. A new police station had been planned for some time.

Housing is an important issue for the Palm Island community. Progress in building housing infrastructure is hampered by land management and planning issues.

The Queensland Government has allocated $2.1 million for serviced allotments, including 26 housing allotments with road access, water, power and sewerage.

More needs to be done. The Queensland Government is committed to work with the community through the Negotiation Table to resolve land management and planning issues so that more and better housing and related infrastructure can be provided.

The community has indicated that transport for children to and from school is a priority and the Government will immediately investigate how to address this issue. Other transport issues will also be discussed.

4. Finalising an Alcohol Management Plan

I have directed the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, Liddy Clark, to enter into immediate negotiations with the Council and the Community Justice Group, with a view to having an Alcohol Management Plan agreed and operating early in the New Year.

There is a clear need to address alcohol misuse on Palm Island, and the Queensland Government has been working with the Council and the Community Justice Group to determine the best way forward to tackle associated problems.

While local leaders and residents agree alcohol misuse poses significant problems for individuals and for community life on Palm, there are many differing views about how best to tackle the problems. /3

Unfortunately community efforts so far have failed to produce significant improvements.

We are determined to improve the safety and well-being of children, women and families on Palm Island, and believe that implementing an Alcohol Management Plan, like those in place in 17 other Indigenous communities in Queensland, is the best hope of providing a better future.

5. Establishing new governance arrangements with the community

I have directed the Minister for Local Government and Planning, Desley Boyle, to work with the Palm Island Council to put in place effective local government arrangements.

Funding and support through the Community Governance Improvement Strategy will be made available immediately for this purpose. This will include training programs for councillors and council staff and expert assistance to help the Council to improve business systems.

This Community Governance Improvement Strategy was developed to help Indigenous councils fulfil their role as effective local governments so they may better manage their own local affairs into the future, as they change to local government status from January 1.

If the community is agreeable, the Government will arrange for experienced Indigenous council representatives from other communities to share their experiences with the Palm Island Council.

Building the capacity of local council and community organisations is a critical factor in responding to the needs of the community.

Contact: 3224 4500