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Partnerships Queensland: Future Directions Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy in Queensland 2005-2010
Category:	Policy/Strategy
Date:	1 September 2005
Sub Category:	Policy/Strategy
Place:
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State/Country:	Queensland, Australia
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Subject Matter:	\| Consultation \| Cultural Heritage \| Economic Development \| Education \| Employment and Training \| Health and Community Services \| \| Reconciliation
URL:	https://web.archive.org/web/20060212191535/http://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/pdf/partnerships/pq2005_overview.pdf
Summary Information:
Partnerships Queensland is a Queensland State Government policy framework launched by the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy on 1 September 2005. The strategy is designed to draw together all existing Government service initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Its overall aim is to improve the quality and efficiency of government performance and service delivery. The strategy also aims to ensure the removal of any systemic barriers which may prevent any group from enjoying the benefits of state prosperity. The strategy aims to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to guarantee the same rights, opportunities and standard of living as other Queenslanders. Partnerships Queensland is designed to integrate present policies and initiatives under the strategy's four key goals: - Strong families and cultures; - Safe places; - Healthy living; and - Skilled and prosperous people and communities. Under Partnerships Queensland, all Queensland government departments will be guided by these four policy objectives and will engage in new ways of doing business based on 'partnership, community engagement, improved governance, better performing and more accountable service providers, and shared responsibility.' (Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy - Queensland Government, 'Partnerships Queensland: The Way Forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People': http://www.indigenous.qld.gov.au/partnerships/partnerships.cfm (at 9 September 2005)).
Detailed Information:
The Partnerships Queensland strategy recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, government at all levels, business and the non-government sector must work together to devise and implement solutions to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander standards of living. It aims to be a complete policy package that brings all government activity under a shared policy vision. The strategy sets out a range of reforms designed to articulate the roles and responsibilities of each partner. An agenda has been established for both immediate and long term action. This includes a budget strategy, a performance framework, a blueprint for action, a state-wide communication strategy and strict governance arrangements. Partnerships Queensland is informed by a commitment to reconciliation. It recognises the contribution to be made by all levels of government, individuals, communities and business. It envisages that policy, decision-making and service delivery will be improved by the integration of mechanisms at local, regional and central levels. Improvements to service delivery are intended to complement the community action plans and shared responsibility agreements already in place between Indigenous communities and the federal government. Response plans will be developed across the Government for each priority action area and overarching risk factor. These plans will be designed to identify the most effective measures for improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders. These plans will be designed to improve interaction between government agencies. Service delivery plans will also be developed in order to operationalise response plans at the local level. Partnerships Queensland is also intended to provide the platform for increased involvement of the corporate community with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, particularly in the areas of education, employment, sport and culture. As a part of Partnerships Queensland, a Performance Framework will be implemented in order to measure outcomes of the strategy. The Framework identifies outcome indicators under each of the four central goals and defines them in terms of priority action areas. These are: - Healthy outcomes for babies; - Optimal development in early childhood; - Successful childhood; - Transition to adulthood; - Healthy, prosperous and safe adulthood; - Economic security and employment participation; and - Cultural strength. The Performance Framework similarly sets out outcome indicators for the overarching risk factors which have been identified as having considerable impact on the five life stages set out above. These indicators are: - Housing, community infrastructure and environmental health; - Crime and violence; and - Family and community wellbeing. Funding for Partnerships Queensland includes an (AUD) $5 million incentive pool for innovative and performance driven initiatives at the community level. This is in addition to those funds allocated in the State Budget for a range of projects and capital investment totalling approximately $290 million. A Blueprint for Action which lists all the strategic priorities under each of the main Partnerships Queensland goals, and aligns all the frameworks, policies and action plans will be developed. It will then identify the actions to be taken under the policies and allocate specific actions for the 2005-6 period to relevant departments. Partnerships Queensland will also integrate all government policy including the Ten Year Partnership, Cape York Partnerships Queensland and Meeting Challenges, Making Choices. It recognises the priorities of the Council of Australian Governments and acknowledges the responsibility of governments to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It also emphasises the individual responsibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for choices made with respect to personal and community wellbeing.