Qld: Apology first step to improving indigenous life: Bligh

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2008
Qld: Apology first step to improving indigenous life: Bligh

BRISBANE, Feb 12 AAP - The formal apology to the stolen generations is the first step
to improving problems in indigenous communities such as alcohol abuse, Queensland Premier
Anna Bligh says.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will say sorry to Aboriginal people in Canberra tomorrow
for past policies of forcibly removing indigenous children from their families.

Ms Bligh will meet with 19 indigenous mayors in Cairns on Friday to discuss changes
to alcohol management plans.

She will offer a share in federal government funding for alcohol rehabilitation services
to communities who agree to trial prohibition.

Ms Bligh said tomorrow's historic apology was an important step towards serious indigenous
policy reform.

"We must do better," Ms Bligh told state parliament today.

"Alcohol abuse is at the core of much of the dysfunction, poverty, disease and violence
which continues to blight our indigenous communities."

The government has already moved the Indigenous Government Coordination Office into
the Premier's Department to fast-track changes to the alcohol management plans.

Ms Bligh said this reflected the government's sense of "urgency and priority".

"Little children should be safe at home, they should be cared for by parents sober
enough to ensure that they are protected, they should be well fed, and they should be
getting enough sleep and going to school," she said.

"Until the vast majority of adults in our indigenous communities are sober this will
simply never be a reality.

"Friday's meeting is about changing that reality."

AAP gd/pjo/maur/bwl

KEYWORD: SORRY BLIGH

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.