The purpose of this resource

The aim of the Engaging Queenslanders: Introduction to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities resource is to improve engagement between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is designed to enhance existing tools of engagement and provide guidelines which can be interpreted as each experience of engagement requires. This approach recognises and respects the diversity that exists in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and does not intend to make generalisations about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities.

This resource supports the Queensland Government’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and to improving engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have limited trust or confidence in government engagement processes due to past government practices and policies.

This resource endeavours to provide historical and contextual information to better inform public officials in their engagement practices with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Importantly, it highlights the responsibility of all public officials in building reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders and in fully considering and respecting the individual needs and aspirations of communities. It also emphasises the importance of public officials operating in coordination to avoid duplication and waste, and to improve pathways through complex government systems.

This resource was informed by two publications developed by the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships: Protocols for consultation and negotiation with Aboriginal people (1998), and Mina Mir Lo Ailan Mun – Proper communication with Torres Strait Islander people (1998). These publications are useful for providing an initial understanding of cultural considerations when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and should also be referred to when planning an engagement strategy. They are available on the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships website www.communities.qld.gov.au

Engaging Queenslanders: Introduction to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has been developed by the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and the Department of Communities. A reference group made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public officials and community engagement practitioners worked in partnership to develop this resource.

Engagement resources already produced by the Department of Communities are listed in the references and further resources section at the back of this resource and can be downloaded from the Queensland Government community engagement website www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au