It was recently revealed Cape York and Torres Strait mayors have been locked out of consultation about Jackie Trad's Brisbane-centric indigenous reform agenda.

This is disgraceful, but unsurprising, given Jackie Trad has continued to ignore the pleas of local Family Responsibilities Commissioners to work with them for future reform.

This is the same Deputy Premier who claimed that she does "not take responsibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children coming into the child protection system", despite also being the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.

Under Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, Queensland was the only state or territory which failed to hit a single target in the last Closing the Gap report.

Health, education and employment targets aren't being met because the Deputy Premier is more concerned with her left-wing agenda than with working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in our North.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad needs to work in partnership with indigenous Queenslanders rather than telling them what she thinks is best for them.

This month I attended the 10th anniversary of the Eric Deeral Indigenous Youth Parliament, along with the LNP Shadow Minister for Child Safety Stephen Bennett.

Unlike Labor, the LNP is committed to building a brighter future Queensland's indigenous youth.

Dr Christian Rowan MP

Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

The new Australian Parliament has opened with both sides talking grandly about at last getting constitutionally-recognised representation for Aborigines.

Yet less than a year ago Scott Morrison, among others, was whining about no third chamber, and the problem of getting things approved at a referendum.

But there's no need for a third chamber.

The cheap, easy, totally effective thing for Scott Morrison's government to do is to create a separate electoral roll for Aborigines, so that they may elect their own Senators and Members to the two existing chambers.

There's also no need for a referendum.

Section 121 of the Constitution allows the Parliament to establish new States on any terms it thinks fit.

So Scott Morrison's government may therefore create a new State of Aboriginal Representation, the existence and purpose of which is limited to allowing Aborigines to be elected to the Commonwealth Parliament from a separate electoral roll.

That would keep the existing States happy.

To give Aborigines the protection they would want for their separate representation, the establishing Act need only require a referendum for any amendment or repeal of itself.

And -- thank heaven ! -- there's no need for any original thought from Scott Morrison's government about this. For many years an arrangement very like it has existed in New Zealand, where it works quite well.

So -- Scott?

Grant Agnew,

Coopers Plains

Comments on the fire at Adels Grove

Rowena McNally Fabulous resilience - folk already back in business and having fun in a fabulous location!! Well done to the team at Adele's Grove

Dianne Paul Oh this is awful So sorry for Michelle and Rod They are marvellous hosts and so supportive of RFDS and community