Australian unions welcome the apology to the Stolen Generations
WEDNESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2008 IS SORRY DAY
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised to the Stolen Generations at the commencement of the 42nd federal parliament on Wednesday 13 February 2008. Download the apology speech here. Some useful links for more info on this historic occasion are as follows:
The ACTU's statement on the formal apology to Indigenous Australians
"Saying sorry is long overdue.
It is an essential bridge to a better future for Indigenous Australians. This is a formal acknowledgement of the real pain and suffering experienced by the "stolen generations", their families and their communities. It is a basis for both healing and progress.
Next Wednesday will be a significant day in the nation's history and one of great emotion. We can be proud of the leadership of a Prime Minister humble enough to offer an apology for great wrongs and grateful to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders forgiving enough to accept.
An apology must be accompanied by renewed action to bridge the gap - on life expectancy, health, employment, education and living conditions - and mark the start of a more respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians."
QCU Indigenous Employment and Support Officer
The Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) is the peak body working with Queensland Unions representing over 350,000 workers in Queensland on industrial, political and social justice issues. Many of these workers are Aboriginal peoples or Torres Strait Islanders who require targeted assistance, advice and support.
The QCU recognised the need for the Union movement to establish a specific strategy to meet and provide this support and has thus established the position of Indigenous Employment Support Officer.
Kara Touchie commenced duties in this position on 8 May 2007.
Kara brings experience in both trade union and community campaigning and advocacy. She has worked as an organiser for both the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Australian Services Union – Clerical and Administrative Branch (ASU). This union experience has given Kara a good understanding of industrial matters and instruments as they relate to a cross section of industries and trades. Kara’s experience before working for the Union movement spans the private, public and tertiary sectors
Kara’s appointment as the Indigenous Employment, Training and Support Officer reflects the QCU’s commitment to looking at ways Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders can become more active in the workplace and social issues.
Some of the ways we can do this is by improving communication channels with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders by running training courses and information sessions on workplace issues. Also, by providing industrial relations and employment program advice, such as wage rights, rights and responsibilities as an employee and to assist potential employees understand the work environment.
The broad objectives of Kara’s worker are:
- provide quality industrial advice and to support labour market employment program participants;
- inform and influence employment policy particularly in relation to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders;
- identify and action employment opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders;
- liaise with various government and employment agencies across South-East Queensland and regional Queensland;
- produce regular update bulletins on industrial relations changes, VET and employment information that is particularly relevant to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.
Kara may be contacted on:
- Telephone: (07) 3846 2468
- mobile number: 0437 534 002
- at email: karat@qcu.asn.au
JOBS, SCHOLARSHIPS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ETC
This information will be regularly updated with the aim of providing up to date, current information about jobs, scholarships, funding opportunities and education and employment schemes.
http://www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au/ and following the links to ‘Breaking the Unemployment Cycle’
www.constructmycareer.com.au/index
www.jobs.qld.gov.au
