Family Responsibilities Commission
The Family Responsibilities Commission is a key element of Cape York Welfare Reform.
The Family Responsibilities Commission is an independent statutory body consisting of a legally qualified Commissioner and six Local Commissioners for each of the four Cape York Welfare Reform communities (Aurukun, Coen, Mossman Gorge and Hope Vale) which are taking part in the four-year welfare reform trials.
Initiatives
The Family Responsibilities Commission will help rebuild social norms in the four Cape York Welfare Reform communities by:
- Appointing respected Elders to positions of responsibility, thereby rebuilding local authority
- Articulating the original Indigenous community values of respect and responsibility
- Sending a consistent message about the expected behaviour of individuals, families and households
- Determining appropriate actions to address the dysfunctional behaviour of people in the community
- Where appropriate, referring individuals to community support services to assist them to address their behaviours
- Where appropriate, directing the person's income to be managed by Centrelink to pay for the priority needs of their family
View the Family Responsibilities Commission website for more information.