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Review gives communities a voice, not a lecture
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has completely misrepresented
actions concerning alcohol management in Queensland Indigenous
Communities, according to Queensland Minister for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Glen
Elmes.
Mr Elmes said claims by Ms Gillard that the Queensland Government
was planning to wind back alcohol restrictions were untrue.
“Playing politics is one thing but misrepresenting the facts is
quite another,” Mr Elmes said.
“The Newman Government is giving Indigenous communities across
the State a say in their own future.
“Our approach is to work with these communities individually. We
will not impose an edict from Brisbane on a community in Cape
York or any other place, and neither should the Federal
Government.”
In her fifth ‘Closing the Gap” statement, the Prime Minister told
Federal Parliament she feared “that the rivers of grog that
wreaked such havoc among Indigenous communities are starting to
flow again”.
“What the Prime Minister failed to acknowledge was the importance
of Indigenous communities coming up with solutions to their own
individual issues,” Mr Elmes said.
“We recognise that some Indigenous communities are struggling
with alcohol issues.
“That is why these communities are going through a very mature
debate amongst their people to come up with their own
management plans.
“Of course, what works in one community may not work in
another.
“Our government will listen to the local Mayors and leaders, but
there is no preconception the review into alcohol management
plans will automatically lead to a relaxation or removal of
alcohol restrictions.
“The bottom line for the review is that any changes to current
restrictions will not be at the cost of adverse community
impacts, particularly in levels of violence and neglect directed
towards women and children.”
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the
Premier
The Honourable Glen Elmes
6th of February 2013
Permanent Link: Review gives communities a voice, not a lecture
Publish Date: 07 Feb 13
Level 6a, Neville Bonner Building, 75 William Street, Brisbane Qld 4000, Queensland Wide
Non-fixed: 13 74 68
Fax: 07 3224 2070
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