Minister pays tribute to the Queensland's Indigenous peoples

Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Desley Boyle
08/08/2009
Minister pays tribute to the Queensland's Indigenous peoples
 
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Desley Boyle has paid tribute to Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ahead of United Nations International Day of World's Indigenous People on Sunday, August 9.

Ms Boyle said International Day was a time to recognise the rights, cultures and histories of the world's 350 million Indigenous people, especially the rich culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland.

"We have all taken significant steps to ensure that the extraordinary contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the history and culture of this land is acknowledged," Ms Boyle said.

"Last week I was in Aurukun when the Federal Court granted native title rights to parts of Cape York to the Wik and Wik Way people. This would have been unthinkable 30 years ago," Ms Boyle said.

"Aboriginal and Islander culture is also right under our nose in the cities of Queensland and Australia. We shouldn't forget that 75% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in the urban centres of Queensland.

"They have the potential if we welcome it to fully take part in and make invaluable contributions to our communities and the State's future.

"Indigenous knowledge and beliefs are an invaluable and irreplaceable resource, not just in Australia but across the world."

Ms Boyle said the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments supported the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

"By issuing a statement in support of this Declaration last year, Australia accepted the document as a framework for recognising and protecting the rights of Indigenous Australians," said the Minister said.

Ms Boyle stressed that reconciliation was everyone's business.

"The Bligh Government is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, elders and communities to close the gap in disadvantage," she said.

"The Reconciliation Action Plan 2009-12, launched a couple of weeks ago, is the Bligh Government's clear action plan for a whole-of-government approach to addressing Indigenous disadvantage."