FRC axing threatens progress
It’s been revealed the Palaszczuk Labor Government plan to abandon the Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC) - a bipartisan welfare reform initiative that has improved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives in Cape York for a decade.
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Labor's Deputy Premier Jackie Trad announced to a shocked crowd including local FRC Commissioners that it would be replaced with an entirely unknown model known as 'Thriving Communities'.
The FRC aimed to improve the lives of people in Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale, Mossman Gorge and most recently in Doomadgee.
All of this progress is now under serious threat.
While visiting Cape York and Cairns last week, many people expressed their anger to me about the Palaszczuk Labor Government's decision.
The FRC has always enjoyed bipartisan support since it began, and it is disgraceful to see the Deputy Premier trying to play the blame game with Canberra for her callous decision to abandon the FRC.
The Labor Deputy Premier Jackie Trad needs to stop playing politics, get down to work and focus on achieving real outcomes for Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
I completely understand the frustrations of Indigenous leader Noel Pearson who feels 'sick in the stomach' about this shameful decision.
Premier Palaszczuk should show some leadership and concentrate on closing the gap.
Dr. Christian Rowan MP
Shadow Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors
Coalition Against PFAS response to Federal Parliament Inquiry Report
The findings of last week’s federal parliamentary inquiry report vindicate contaminated communities in finding that both the Defence Department and Government not only lost control of managing PFAS contamination in Australia but in truth, never had any.
We welcome the recommendations regarding long-overdue compensation.
Our homes and businesses have been contaminated by chemicals, our health put at serious risk, the mental and financial toll has been immense.
Just as importantly the inquiry committee has had heard the message loud and clear fromcontaminated communities regarding the need for a nationwide response.
We fully endorse and welcome its call for an independent, well-resourced, ‘PFAS Tsar’ or Coordinator-General, to take charge of cleaning-up what will prove to be one of the largest ever chemical contaminations in our nation’s history.
In an era of political party and Canberra self-obsession, the opening statement in the report from inquiry head Andrew Laming MP that: “It should not take years of campaigning at this level of effort to adequately address the legitimate concerns of communities of people” must be heeded by all our elected representatives.
No more delays, no more excuses, and no more ignoring people whose lives have been utterly destroyed simply because of where they live.”
Coalition Against PFAS (CAP) President Lindsay Clout
Facebook Feedback
On the retirement of vet Len Fulham after 39 years
AJ Ilano Thanks for taking care of my pets – the only vet i trust.
Lizz Malama Oh wow...Sad to hear but all the best Len! Thankyou for all you have done for me and my doggies over the years!
Amanda McHugh Len will definitely be greatly missed. He’s been my family vet since I was about 4 years old and always provided top quality care for our animals. I wish Len & Sandra all the best.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
