Qld: Beattie declares support for ATSIC scrapping

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2004
Qld: Beattie declares support for ATSIC scrapping

By Joh Leggatt

BRISBANE, April 16 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has thrown his support behind
the abolition of ATSIC, claiming it failed to improve the lives of indigenous Australians.

Mr Beattie said a "new start" was needed.

"I think ATSIC was an important experiment but clearly one in the end that didn't work," he said.

"It's important that we provide service and infrastructure to indigenous Australians
so that they get a fair go and I don't think ATSIC in the end achieved that.

"I am interested in seeing what (federal Opposition Leader) Mark Latham comes forward
with and we do need a replacement structure."

Yesterday the federal government announced it would axe the peak Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander representative body because it had failed.

Mr Beattie said there needs to be a model in place that tackles the key areas of health,
education, housing and the problem of alcohol abuse in indigenous communities.

"Whatever happens and whoever wins the next election I hope we get a model out of this
that actually tackles the real issues," he said.

Mr Beattie's comments were at odds with local indigenous leaders.

Queensland ATSIC commissioner Ray Robinson said the decision was a massive setback
for the indigenous cause.

Mr Robinson said while the decision came as no surprise it was disappointing.

AAP jtl/ch/jv/bwl

KEYWORD: ATSIC BEATTIE

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.