MAYORS and councillors representing Queensland’s First Nations councils have gathered today to discuss issues critical to their communities, like housing, connectivity, and financial sustainability, and to explore potential solutions.
The Indigenous Leaders Forum met at the Gold Coast Convention Centre as part of this week’s 124th LGAQ Annual Conference.
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor and ILF chair Wayne Butcher said the forum was a vital chance for First Nations mayors to discuss shared challenges and to initiate strategies and campaigns to effect the changes necessary to advance the interests of their communities.
“Indigenous Mayors and Councillors provide a strong voice for their local communities. When those voices are united as one through forums like the Indigenous Leaders Forum, that message becomes even more powerful,” Mayor Butcher said.
Housing continued to be a key focus of discussions with mayors and councillors, with the ILF agreeing to maintain strident advocacy to the other tiers of government for more effective and enduring solutions.
“Overcrowding is a pervasive issue that has devastating flow-on effects for Queensland’s First Nations communities, impeding advancement in health and education for our people,” Mayor Butcher said.
“This is a human rights issue that has finally been included in the Closing the Gap agenda. Now it must be addressed with a long-term funding commitment from the State and Federal governments to really make a difference to the economic and social fabric of our communities.
“If we address overcrowding, we can address other issues vital to closing the gap and improving the quality of life for Indigenous Queenslanders.”
Mayors and councillors attending the ILF also had the chance to discuss key issues with Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Shadow Local Government Minister Ann Leahy as well as Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll, Inspector-General of Emergency Management Alistair Dawson and Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall, among other speakers.
Local Government Association of Queensland President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the ILF was first formed in 2011 to ensure a collective voice for First Nations councils on behalf of their communities.
“Through the ILF, First Nations councils have been able to create and leverage a strong collective voice to shape and influence real and meaningful reforms,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“Together, they have become a force to be reckoned with.”