Mr LINDSAY (3:08 PM) —My question is directed to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Can the minister update the House on the latest information about the whole of government approach in Indigenous affairs in his area of Cape York in Northern Queensland? What new initiatives are there that will help Indigenous people on the Cape?

Mr ABBOTT (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) —I thank the member for Herbert for his question. I know he has a great deal of concern for doing the right thing by Indigenous people in North Queensland, as does the member for Leichhardt, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources. Let me remind the House of something that was said late last year by Noel Pearson:

There has been so much focus on Indigenous problems that it is only right and proper that we should also appreciate and recognise Indigenous success. I am very pleased to tell the House that the people of Arakun, which is the largest Indigenous community on Cape York, have made a decisive step towards reclaiming responsibility for the community and reclaiming responsibility for their own lives. The people of Arakun have used the powers available to them under Queensland law to have alcohol banned from that community except for certain limited hours of service in the local tavern. Alcohol is being banned from private homes, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, because there cannot be one rule for permanent residents and another rule for people there on employment contracts. Pregnant women and their partners, people on probation, people subject to domestic violence orders and people whose children are truant from the local school will all be refused alcohol service.

I have to point out that it is one thing to make this decision, but it is another thing to make it work. It is not going to be easy to cope with the sly grog runners who will inevitably try to penetrate the community. It will not necessarily be easy to cope with a reduction in community income because of lower alcohol sales. This is a giant step towards tackling one of the greatest social scourges that Indigenous communities face. Less alcohol abuse means better health. It means more tranquil communities. It means stronger family budgets. It has important spin-offs for employment and education. One of the best things about what has happened in Arakun is that it is not something which governments have imposed on Indigenous people. This is a genuine example of grassroots leadership. This is an example of Indigenous people taking responsibility for their own lives. I think it is only right that this House congratulates Noel Pearson, the Cape York Partnership and the Arakun Council, but, most of all, the women of the Arakun community justice group, who are responsible for the leadership behind this important breakthrough.