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Queensland - Organisation

Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs Department (1989 - 1996)

State Government of Queensland

From
7 December 1989
To
25 January 1996
Categories
Care Provider and Government Department
Alternative Names
  • Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs (Also known as)
  • Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs Department, Aboriginal and Islander Affairs Division

The Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs was formed through the amalgamation of the Department of Community Services and Ethnic Affairs and the Department of Family Services on 7 December 1989. A separate division of the Department was created called the Aboriginal and Islander Affairs Department to have a supportive rather than directive role within the Aborginal community. The department had responsibility of correctional services for young offenders.

On 25 Jan 1996 the Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs became the Department of Family and Community Services.

Details

The Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs was formed through the amalgamation of the Department of Community Services and Ethnic Affairs and the Department of Family Services on 7 December 1989. The Aboriginal and Islander Affairs became a division within the Department with the specific goal of full participation, recognition and self-determination for Aboriginal and Islander people, and fostering reconciliation, highlighting a supportive rather than a directive role for the Division.

Functions:

  • Services for people with intellectual disabilities
  • Adoption services
  • Crisis intervention
  • Protection against child abuse and neglect
  • Licensing for providers of children services
  • Correctional services for young offenders
  • Legislation, policy and support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities
  • Planning and co-ordinating of social infrastructure
  • Special Programs consultancy for groups
  • Financial assistance for sevices planning
  • Monitoring of outcomes and standards of accountability
  • Social problems awareness and education

Administrative Arrangements:

The Director General was in charge of four major Divisions: Protective Services and Juvenile Justice, Community Services Development, Intellectual Disability Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs, all of them supporting Regional Offices and special branches.

By 1995 the structure had changed again and the Director General managed a Bureau of Ethnic Affairs, the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Finance and Organisational Services, Information Services, and three Divisions: Community Services Development, Intellectual Disability Services, Protective Services and Juvenile Justice.

Abolition:

On 25 Jan 1996 the Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs briefly became the Department of Family and Community Services.

Timeline

 1879 - 1911 Public Instruction Department, Orphanages Branch
       1904 - 1939 Chief Protector of Aboriginals Office
       1911 - 1935 Home Secretary's Office, State Children Department
             1935 - 1963 Health and Home Affairs Department, State Children Department
             1939 - 1966 Director Of Native Affairs Office
                   1963 - 1966 Labour and Industry Department, State Children Department
                   1966 - 1975 Aboriginal and Island Affairs Department
                         1966 - 1987 Children's Services Department
                         1975 - 1984 Aboriginal and Islanders Advancement Department
                               1984 - 1987 Community Services Department
                               1987 Family and Youth Services Department
                                     1987 - 1989 Community Services and Ethnic Affairs Department
                                     1987 - 1989 Family Services Department
                                           1989 - 1996 Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs Department
                                                 1996 - 1998 Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy
                                                 1996 Department of Family and Community Services
                                                       1996 - 2001 Department of Families, Youth and Community Care
                                                       1998 - 2001 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Development Department
                                                             2001 - 2006 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Department
                                                             2001 - 2004 Department of Families
                                                                   2004 - 2009 Child Safety Department
                                                                   2004 - 2012 Communities Department
                                                                   2004 - 2012 Communities Department
                                                                         2004 - 2012 Communities Department
                                                                         2012 - 2015 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Department
                                                                         2012 - 2017 Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services Department
                                                                               2015 - 2020 Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
                                                                               2017 - 2020 Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
                                                                                     2020 - Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, State Government of Queensland
                                                                                     2020 - Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

Publications

Online Resources

Prepared by: Lee Butterworth