Ontario Government to spend 1 million on Indigenous Tourism

The Ontario government is planning to spend 1 million dollars to assist Indigenous Tourism Ontario by developing a travelling exhibit to promote Indigenous culture and innovation across northern Ontario.

The Indigenous Ingenuity exhibit, which is a collaboration between Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Science North, will highlight historical and modern aspects of Indigenous culture and innovation. 

Through interactive and educational displays, the influence of traditional Indigenous knowledge and techniques will be demonstrated.

 

Catholic Church backs Uluru Statement

Catholic church leaders are recognising first nations people, as Brisbane's Archbishop Mark Coleridge voices support for the Uluru Statement. 

The Uluru Statement calls for the establishment of a ‘First Nations Voice’ in the Australian Constitution and a ‘Makarrata Commission’ to supervise ‘agreement-making’ between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Archbishop Coleridge says “Only a heart of stone could allow the indigenous peoples to become aliens, exiles, and refugees in their own land,”

 

Pressure to vaccinate Year 12s ahead of exams

Pressure is mounting on Queensland to vaccinate year 12s against COVID 19 to avoid disruption to exams. 

Infectious disease expert Dr Paul Griffin says year 12 students should be treated as a priority group for vaccines in Queensland.

It comes after New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia implemented strategies to prioritise the vaccination of senior students to limit interruptions to their final year.

Queensland’s final school exams start on October 22 and end on November 16.

 

QPS has Single Biggest Recruit Intake in a Decade

The Queensland Police Service will have the single biggest police recruit intake in a decade.

QPS will deliver more than 2000 extra personnel as Police Minister Mark Ryan says the investment is “all part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery” as the police play a vital role in “protecting the economy”.

The investment will include a 300 million dollar capital works program.

First LGBTQI+ Indigenous Commissioner calls for better services

Australia's first Indigenous LGBTIQ+ Commissioner is calling for better services and safer spaces for the First Nations and queer community. 

Wiradjuri man Todd Fernando is the second commissioner to ever hold the role after its creation in 2015, and his focus is on intersecting identities of race and queerness. 

Mr Fernando says First Nations people often feel the need to minimise their culture to connect with their LGBTQI+ identities.

Public Inquiry into Financial Mismanagement begins

A three-week public inquiry begins today into the financial mismanagement of the New South Wales Central Coast Council, which accrued more than half a billion dollars in debt. 

The commissioner will look at whether council's actions contributed to its financial position, and whether it had regard for its financial sustainability. 

Suspended mayor Lisa Matthews will be the first to be investigated.

 

Pride Requests Officers Attend without uniforms

Brisbane Pride are requesting officers not participate in this year’s Pride March while wearing uniform. 

The decision comes after investigations were launched on a number of current and past police officers who are members of a Facebook group littered with homophobic, sexist and racist posts.

Brisbane Pride Festival has issued a statement via the organisation’s website stating they acknowledge progress in changing the behaviours of the Queensland Police Service, but that change has been inconsistent.