- The Crisafulli Government continues to deliver critical infrastructure projects in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across health, education, infrastructure, housing, tourism, and community partnerships.
- An $18 million commitment for urgent water infrastructure upgrades in Woorabinda, with Queensland calling on the Federal Government to match it.
- To commemorate National Reconciliation Week, Reconciliation Queensland will receive $150,000 to support their vital work for a further 12 months.
To mark the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, the Crisafulli Government has reaffirmed its investment in closing the gap through key projects across health, education, infrastructure, housing, tourism, and community partnerships.
The Crisafulli Government has announced an additional $150,000 for Reconciliation Queensland to support their vital work for a further 12 months, with the former Labor State Government's funding expiring at the end of the calendar year.
The Crisafulli Government has also announced an $18 million commitment for urgent water infrastructure upgrades in Woorabinda – one of Australia's most disadvantaged towns – where residents have been forced to boil water since December 2024, due to a lack of investment by the former Labor Government.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said the State had already written to federal counterparts to request that the Federal Government match Queensland's funding pledge for this critical project.
"It is shameful that the Woorabinda community is in this position. Clearly their water treatment plant has needed significant investment for some time under the former State Labor government's watch, but they failed to act," Minister Simpson said.
"I have written to the new Federal Minister for Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt, on this critical issue and I'm awaiting his response. I'm hoping Federal Labor MPs will do more than their state-based colleagues ever did."
More broadly, the Crisafulli Government has made significant progress this year to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:
- Funding $12.61 million for vital transport infrastructure upgrades across Cape York, the Northern Peninsular, Aurukun, Plain Creek, and Dauan Island in the Torres Strait
- Supporting Indigenous community housing provider Yumba-Meta to deliver 24 new social homes in Townsville.
- Providing more than $100,000 across 41 community organisations through the Celebrating Reconciliation Grants to strengthen local initiatives.
- Committed $19 million towards health and education infrastructure projects in Aurukun, Kowanyama, and Cherbourg from the Closing the Gap Priorities Fund.
- Commenced work with the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation to deliver a new $3.76 million Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bamanga Muruku Tourism Hub in the Daintree to showcase Queensland's rich cultural heritage.
- Introduced a rent-to-buy scheme on Palm Island with a 99-year lease agreement to assist residents to achieve the dream of owning their own home.
- Supporting the 2025 Queensland Reconciliation Awards (to improve social and health outcomes, and support employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
National Reconciliation Week is held each year from May 27 to June 3 and commemorates two significant milestones in Australia's reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision.
Minister Simpson said this year's theme 'Bridging Now to Next' recognises the past but also encourages us to work together towards a brighter future.
"You can't build a bridge to next without a foundation — clean water, housing and education. These are the foundations to build dignity, quality of life, and real action on reconciliation," Minister Simpson said.
"The Crisafulli Government is working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to empower home ownership, school attendance, better health outcomes and a brighter future."
