The Wire

This years’ Queensland state budget allocation for the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy has been labelled as disappointing and vague. While the Government is confident it’s covered all areas, the leaders of some Indigenous organisations feel they’ve been left out of the loop, and are concerned by the budget’s direction. Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, Liddy Clark says a portion of the $54.7 million budget will be aimed at existing strategies. But the lions share will go towards supporting the shift of the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy (DATSIP)’s responsibilities to the Department of Local Government and Planning. But FAIRA chairperson Les Malezer says mainstreaming will be the cause of many problems. It’s is a sentiment is readily shared by Cairns ATSIC chairperson Terry O’Shane. But Torres Strait Island Regional Authority Chairperson Toshie Kris has welcomed the budget handed down to the Islands.