Federal Government Recognition

In 1975 a small group of South Sea Islander community members in Mackay enlisted the help of a Community Development Officer from the Mackay Regional Council for Social Development (MRCSD) to help them in their campaign for Recognition. They also enlisted the help of the Federal, State and Local Government Members and the Mackay City Council.

A trip to Canberra for a small delegation of community members led by the Mayor of Mackay was arranged, so that the members could meet with various Government Ministers. After years of knocking on doors and presenting our case, the Government finally listened.

On 25 August 1994 the Federal Government recognised South Sea Islanders as a disadvantaged group with special access and equity needs. South Sea Islanders were formally recognised as Australian South Sea Islanders, identifying our 'dual' heritage as Australians and South Sea Islanders.

Recognition was a significant step for Australian South Sea Islanders as for 130 years our existence had been denied. The Bureau of Ethnic Affairs took over the Australian South Sea Islander issues in their portfolio and some special programs were introduced as the wheels of change turned slowly as the awareness began to filter down through the Government Departments.

State Government Recognition

When Multicultural Affairs Queensland (MAQ) recommended to the State Government that Queensland should formally recognise Australian South Sea Islanders, (as Queensland has the largest population in the whole of Australia) an extensive community consultation process commenced.

Multicultural Affairs Queensland commissioned two of their senior workers to travel throughout Queensland to develop a Recognition Statement that would be acceptable to the community. In light of this several drafts were made before the final draft was accepted by the various state wide Australian South Sea Islander communities.

The committment, dedication and patience of the two workers needs to be acknowledged here as the Statement of Recognition was truly a people's document when completed, and it was fully accepted and owned by the community.

On 7 September 2000, the Recognition Statement was tabled in Queensland Parliament. Multicultural Affairs Queensland provided resources so that community members from country and regional areas outside of Brisbane could travel to Parliament House for the tabling of the document and the reception on the lawns of the Parliamentary Annex.

This was a perfect example of Government and community working together to achieve results. Although there were many dedicated community leaders who worked tirelessly with Government for this result, there were many others who worked quietly in the background.

An Action Plan was developed to heighten the awareness of the needs of the community and many of the initiatives have since been actioned, helping Australian South Sea Islanders achieve goals in the areas of health, housing, employment/training, education, culture/heritage and other social benefits which for so long have eluded them.