The Wire

It’s hoped that one Indigenous community will be seeing better health outcomes – following the announcement that Yarrabah, near Cairns, will soon become the first Queensland Aboriginal community to run its own primary health care centre. A landmark agreement, called a deed of commitment, has been signed by Queensland Health, the Queensland Ambulance Service, and the Commonwealth Government, along with the Gurriny Yealamucka Aboriginal Health Service. Yarrabah Mayor Vince Mundraby says the $10.7 million centre is a step towards Aboriginal control over health issues. But it’s a different story with housing. The Queensland Government has given its own branch, Qbuild, exclusive building and maintenance rights in Aboriginal Shires.