Trad’s indigenous inaction leads to a shameful legacy

QUEENSLAND’S indigenous communities are likely to sink even further down Labor’s list of priorities following Jackie Trad’s decision to resign as a minister.

Ms Trad should have resigned last year over failing to declare her purchase of an investment property next to the Cross River Rail project in Brisbane.

Now she has finally gone, with a CCC investigation under way into the appointment of one of her local school principals, it is time to assess her achievements as Minister

for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.

It won’t take long – because Jackie Trad had no achievements as Minister for this important portfolio. Like most inner-city Labor politicians, Ms Trad talked a lot about indigenous disadvantage but did nothing practical to tackle it.

Instead of fighting for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, she seemed to prefer starting fights with the Federal Government.

It is shameful that the Palaszczuk Labor Government is on track to meet just one of the seven Closing the Gap targets that were set 12 years ago to improve the lives of indigenous Australians.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has now appointed her fourth Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, but nothing will change until the Labor Party stops dictating orders from Brisbane and starts working with others.

Labor must start by listening to the Family Responsibilities Commission and work constructively with the Federal Minister for indigenous Australians, the Hon. Ken Wyatt, MP.

After five years of failure, the Palaszczuk Labor Government must stop grandstanding and finally start delivering for indigenous Queenslanders.