Wrong decision by the wrong people
Media Release: 12 Dec 2003
The State Government's announcement today that a
foundation of "eminent Aboriginal Queenslanders" will be appointed to manage and
distribute the Aborigines Welfare Fund has angered Aboriginal people who say once again it is the
Government deciding what to do with money belonging to them.
Foundation for
Aboriginal & Islander Research Action (FAIRA) Project Officer Bob Weatherall said the government
was still "playing our dominant white masters who want to determine what's best for us and
continuing to deceive the general public into thinking they are doing us a good turn by returning
our own money to us with their lousy reparations offer".
"This is very
important to Aboriginal people and needs to be discussed at length in the community, it's our
money, our families earned it and it's our decision, nobody elses," he
said.
"The government refuses to recognise our right to self determine on
issues affecting our lives and the whole point of the stolen wages campaign has been about decisions
being taken out of our hands and made by others.
"There's a lot of
support for what we have done to date and we'll be mobilising that support both in the short
term and in the lead up to the next election.
"Aboriginal people are going
to be really angry about this."
Community Elder and former Advisory Board
member Aunty Ruth Hegarty said the government was once again making decisions that should rightfully
be in Aboriginal hands.
"Who are these eminent people and where is the money
coming from for the government to form yet another appointed board who will have to travel and
consult again," she said.
Napranum Councillor and Aboriginal Coordinating
Council executive member Moira Bosen also questioned why it was necessary to appoint the foundation
rather than draw from existing community representatives.
"As an elected
representative for my people I'm offended that this government thinks it should appoint another
board when this money should be put it in the hands of people the community chooses, not the
government.
"We are already here as elected representatives of the
Aboriginal community, this money should be given back to the families concerned because they are
entitled to it, no one else.
"It's up to the people not the
government."
For more information contact Christine Howes on 0419
656 277