How to fix us: Mornington Island mayor reveals wishlist for Premier
Two key priorities are at the top of Mornington Island Mayor Kyle Yanner’s list for when he gets the chance to sit down with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk after she confirmed a visit to the stricken Far North Indigenous community.
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MORNINGTON Island’s leader has detailed two key priorities he will flag with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk who has committed to a visit to the struggling Far North community.
Mayor Kyle Yanner made a fresh call for an audit into health services being provided to the Gulf island shire and will also lobby for assistance to become more self-sufficient.
His wishlist comes as Barron River MP and Aboriginal and Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford said the state government might need to look at a high level response, similar to what occurred in the aftermath of the Aurukun riot in January 2020, involving numerous agency bosses.
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“This is not about intervention, it’s about self-determination – working with the mayor and community leaders about how they want to tackle these issues,” he said.
Mr Crawford said spiralling home brew use was at the heart of the dry community’s issues due to, not only its alcohol, but high sugar content with type 2 diabetes one of the major health risks.
He did not rule out subsidies on freight for healthy food options, but said health education was key.
“This will take a generation,” he said.
“We need to make sure we create an environment where people can access these things for a better price.”
Cr Yanner said growing their own foods and running cattle would, not only make the community healthy, but restore pride.
“If we can grow our people and instil a bit of pride, I believe our people will fix our community,” he said.
“But first we need to fix ourselves.
“We just need a bit of support and guidance.”
The community’s “ministerial champion” Meaghan Scanlon and Queensland Health director general Dr John Wakefield are expected to visit the island first, with the Premier’s trip date yet to be confirmed.
Cr Yanner is also flying to Canberra on Tuesday with a small contingent to meet Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt.
Originally published as How to fix us: Mornington Island mayor reveals wishlist for Premier
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