The Palaszczuk Government will invest $6.9 million over four years in the mental health and wellbeing of Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Jackie Trad said initiatives to address youth mental health and suicide would be community-led.
"It's heartbreaking that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders are more likely to experience challenges with mental health and to die by suicide," Ms Trad said.
"The death of a young person is a devastating tragedy for family and impacts on entire communities.
"We know that individual communities understand their young people better than anybody else and that's why the Palaszczuk Government will partner with families and local leaders to help find solutions.
"The $6.9 million we're investing will deliver community-identified initiatives for better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders when and where they're needed."
Ms Trad said $1.9 million would be allocated over four years to implement the Palaszczuk Government's Framework for Action – Reshaping our Approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Domestic and Family Violence initiative.
"Whether it's in the city or the outback, domestic and family violence is unacceptable regardless of where it occurs in Queensland," Ms Trad said.
"Between now and 2021, we'll be supporting six communities to tailor their own action plans to address domestic and family violence.
"The Palaszczuk Government will also provide $480,000 for two new specialist Indigenous Liaison Officers to support Family Violence High Risk Teams in Caboolture and Mackay."
Other key Budget initiatives include:
- $4.5 million over three years to Former Origin Greats Queensland to expand the Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education, ARTIE Academyinto 20 primary schools
- $2.4 million over four years to continue to support community safety in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and reduce alcohol-related harm
- $368, 000 in 2019-20 to finalise consultation and develop legislation for Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practices
- $674,000 in 2019-20 to nurture traditional languages and dialects with the development of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Policy
- $15.6 million over four years to return ownership and management of identified lands on Cape York Peninsula to local Aboriginal Traditional Owners, and protect the region's natural and cultural values
- $9.1 million over three years for reforming participation and decision-making, and improving life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders through co-designed local, regional and state-wide initiatives
- continuing financial support for the Family Responsibilities Commission in 2019-20.
- Increasing procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses
Ms Trad said the Palaszczuk Government would continue to act on the Queensland Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-2021.
"The Palaszczuk Government acknowledges the importance of self-determination and decision making in local communities," Ms Trad said.
"Stronger partnerships with councils and communities mean the delivery of better services and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.
"This is a Budget that invests in safer communities and continues Queensland's progress on genuine reconciliation."
