Queensland’s about-face on indigenous welfare reform funding

The Queensland government has dropped its bid to axe the Family Responsibilities Commission in Aboriginal communities.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad. Picture: AAP

The Palaszczuk government has dropped its bid to axe the Family Responsibilities Commission in Aboriginal communities and will give the program another $5.7m in funding.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad made the surprise announcement on Christmas Eve, saying the government had come to an understanding with the federal govern­ment over the future of the pro­gram after a funding stoush threatened its future. The FRC, an independent statutory body with the power to withhold welfare payments in five indigenous communities in northern Queensland, is central to ­Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson’s decade-long welfare reform trial on Cape York.

Indigenous elders had warned that their communities would be set back by more than a decade if the program was cut.

The fresh funding, which will carry the program through until mid-2021, came after the Queensland and federal governments ­negotiated a memorandum of understanding with the FRC.

FRC Mossman Gorge local commissioner Karen Gibson said on Wednesday that the government’s about face came after a ­sustained campaign from community leaders.

“We came face-to-face with the threat of closing us down but our communities and leaders put up a strong fight, and they have ­listened, which shows that this could be the start of a serious relationship where the government actually hears us,” Ms Gibson said. “This is exciting news that there is an indication that the government is hearing us, which is a big improvement.

“We are glad that the doubt and confusion is over and that we can continue to grow and enhance our model with our communities.”

Ms Gibson said the program had an opportunity to build on what it had achieved and improve for the betterment of remote indigenous communities.

The FRC operates in Aurukun, Mossman Gorge, Doomadgee, Hope Vale and Coen, and gives local commissioners the power to withhold payments if children skip school, if there are concerns a child is being harmed, if a parent is convicted of an offence or if there is a domestic violence protection order against a parent.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Trad said the government’s commitment would allow the FRC to evolve and improve to suit the five communities.

“Local commissioners are respected leaders in their communities and this funding certainty will allow them to continue to focus on the important work of service ­delivery into these communities,” Ms Trad said.

“The welfare reform partners, state and commonwealth governments and Cape York Institute, have been working together since 2016 in consultation with the five communities to evolve the FRC to better meet community needs and priorities.

“This process will continue over the term of the memorandum of understanding as the partners undertake further community engagement with the communities to co-design an evolved FRC model.”

Tammy Williams was named FRC commissioner on September 2, replacing David Glasgow.

Fiona Jose, the chief executive of Mr Pearson’s Cape York Partnership, said the funding announcement was a positive step after months of concern that the program would be cut.

“This extension is a recognition of the value of these indigenous-designed reforms, led on the ground by local family leaders,” Ms Jose said.