‘Not the way to go about it’: Cairns First Nations advisory group to be keenly watched by councillors

A new First Nations advisory group established by Cairns Regional Council will be closely scrutinised following the dissolution of a similar committee that “wasn’t working very well”, according to councillors.

Cairns Regional Council Division 9 councillor and deputy mayor Brett Olds attends his first council ordinary meeting since being voted back in at the local government election in March. Picture: Brendan Radke

A new First Nations advisory group established by Cairns Regional Council will be closely scrutinised following the dissolution of a similar committee that “wasn’t working very well”, according to councillors.

The First Peoples Advisory Committee has been scrapped in favour of a new body which will guide policy, procedures and projects relevant to First Nations peoples and give recommendations on council’s overdue Reconciliation Action Plan.

The First Peoples Advisory Consultants – consisting of up to 10 members – will meet twice a year with advisors receiving a flat rate of $150 per hour with a cap of no more than $5000 per member set for each financial year.

Division Two councillor Matthew Tickner will be keeping a keen eye on the outcomes. Picture: Brendan Radke

Division 2 Councillor Matthew Tickner said he hoped to see key performance indicators imposed on the new group.

“I think there were a lot of issues with relevant information going through the meeting, or was it just a meeting to have a meeting,” Mr Tickner said.

“Going forward, we need to look at how we can better utilise this group and what we’ve put together here really does that.

“I’m vehemently against ‘nice to haves’, so I really want to see some strong KPIs come out of this new group.”

Division 7 Councillor Anna Middleton says input from First Australians should be a fundamental element in council decision making. Picture: Brendan Radke

Seeking input from Indigenous Australians was simply good business, Division 7 Councillor Anna Middleton said.

“This is and should be embedded in decision making across the various departments in our council,” Ms Middleton said.

“This is a way of recognising the value of First Peoples’ intellectual and cultural knowledge throughout our organisation and that remunerating accordingly is a way forward.”

Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds echoed Mr Tickner’s comments regarding improved outcomes.

“The old way wasn’t working very well … this has been a tough topic for a while. I think there should be KPIs.

“I think just putting people on the committee because of the colour of their skin is not the way to go about it.

“We’ve got to make sure that we get the right people that actually do have that knowledge and that we are getting value for our money for the ratepayers.”

Division 4 councillor Trevor Tim is a former First Peoples Advisory Committee member. Picture: Brendan Radke

Former FPAC member and Division Councillor Trevor Tim, who is the council’s only Indigenous councillor, said the new group was a strong step forward.

“We should be leading from the front,” Mr Tim said.

“We need the right people at the table, of course, to drive this forward but it’s a beautiful bridge builder.”

Council’s RAP is currently under review by Reconciliation Australia for endorsement.

“Once feedback is received from Reconciliation Australia, it can be considered by council,” a council spokesman said.

Last year, councillors voted against approving the document, citing concerns with its scope and the implications of its implementation.

Cairns’ local government area has the highest percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents in Queensland, outside of dedicated Indigenous councils.

The Cassowary Coast Regional Council has also announced it is seeking to establish its own First Nations Peoples’ Advisory Committee.

Originally published as ‘Not the way to go about it’: Cairns First Nations advisory group to be keenly watched by councillors