iLb 4 78
Joint Statement by h Prime Minister and the
Qi~ zns land prera j
Recognising our mut-al obligation with regard to the wishes and
the welfare of the Adboriginal peoples at Aurukun and Mornington
Island, the two Governments after long and earnest discussion,
have reached the following agreement that in order to achieve
self-management for Aurukun and Mornington Island communities:
a local government authority for each to be
created on the boundaries of the existing
reserves; the local government council will consist of the
existing councils until the next State Local
Government council elections which will take place
next April. These councils will be the
managing authority;
in order to support the communities, there will for
each one be a co-ordinating and advisory committet
: to the Council consisting of people representative
of authorities delivering services including one
representative of the Commonwealth Department
of Aboriginal Affairs.
The Queensland Government has offered to consult with the
Commonwealth Government on the terms of legislation requried
to provide for self-management through the operations of local
government, in order to achieve mutual agreement between
the relevant Ministers. In the context of that agreement, the
Queensland Government plans to grant to each local government
authority a special lease of the area, to secure the preservation of
the people's traditional rights, use and occupancy of the land. / 2
I. ,2.
The Premier of Queensland. after conferring with his Minister
ror Aboriginal and Islan~ d Affairs ( ZMIr Porter) and his
Plinister for Local Go':, rnroent ( Mr Hinze) believes that
action in terms of this agree-ment could be introduced next week
into the Queenslana Y>: rliament.