Fed: National approach needed on indigenous affairs: Beattie

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2007
Fed: National approach needed on indigenous affairs: Beattie

CANBERRA, Dec 13 AAP - Indigenous affairs should be the sole responsibility of the
federal government, former Queensland premier Peter Beattie says.

Mr Beattie said many people in indigenous communities did not know whether they need
to approach the local council, the state or the commonwealth for assistance.

"This is an international disgrace and we need a national response that's not about
victimising, that's not racist but actually a cooperative partnership with indigenous
communities," Mr Beattie said in a speech in Sydney last night, replayed on ABC Radio
today.

Mr Beattie said addressing problems in indigenous communities would take "a decade"

and a federal approach was needed.

"It will take a generation, one thing I know though, we are going to get cooperation
iif we have a national approach," he said.

"Instead of having the passing between the state and the commonwealth we (need to)
have a national approach."

AAP sld/jlw

KEYWORD: INDIGENOUS BEATTIE

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