State Government of Queensland
The Community Services and Ethnic Affairs Department was created on 14 December 1987. Previously known as the Community Services Department the main difference in the policy for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders was the change towards a supportive rather than a directive role with programmes and activities established to transfer administrative responsibilities to Aboriginal Councils. The Department ran the Kowanyama Mission in 1987. In 1989, the Department was amalgamated with the Department of Family Services under the new name of Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs.
The Department of Community Services and Ethnic Affairs was established when Community Services included the administration of Ethnic Affairs in its responsibilities. The name was changed by proclamation on 14 December 1987.
The policy of the Department was to assist Aborigines and Torres Strait people to achieve economic and social growth in their communities through the effective management of natural and human resources, with the ultimate goal of full participation and self-determination, a move towards a supportive rather than a directive role for the Department. There were programmes and activities put in place to gradually transfer administrative responsibilities, resources and personnel to the Aboriginal Councils.
The Ethnic Affairs Office provided support and assistance to ethnic communities towards self sufficiency, encouraging multiculturalism.
On 7 December 1989 the Department of Community Services and Ethnic Affairs was amalgamated with the Department of Family Services under the new name of Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs.
1904 - 1939 Chief Protector of Aboriginals Office
1939 - 1966 Director Of Native Affairs Office
1966 - 1975 Aboriginal and Island Affairs Department
1975 - 1984 Aboriginal and Islanders Advancement Department
1984 - 1987 Community Services Department
1987 - 1989 Community Services and Ethnic Affairs 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
Sources used to compile this entry: 'Community Services and Ethnic Affairs Department (Agency ID 217)', in Queensland State Archives website, Queensland Government, 2004 - 2013, http://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/Search/AgencyDetails.aspx?AgencyId=217.
Prepared by: Nicola Laurent and Cate O'Neill
Created: 16 September 2014, Last modified: 17 September 2014