Trial Sites

Tasmania

Lead Agency Contact Details

  • Department of Immigration and Mulitcultural and Indigenous Affairs
  • COAG Team - Tasmania
  • Tel:(03) 6211 3926
  • freecall (within Tasmania) Tel: 1800 079 098

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ICC Contact Details

Hobart

  • GPO Box 8, HOBART TAS 7001
  • Level 5, 25 Argyle Street, HOBART TAS 7001
  • Tel: 03 6211 3900
  • Fax: 03 6211 3904

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Trial Site Profile

Geography

Tasmania occupies 66,610 sq km in landmass, which includes several off-shore islands. There is an ongoing program of return of some culturally significant areas of land the to control of Aboriginal land management structures.

Particularly culturally important are the mutton-birding islands within the Furneaux Islands group. These islands were also the site of first contact with European culture (seal-hunters) and have a rich and complex history of cultural inter-relationships.

The theme for the Tasmanian COAG Indigenous Communities’ Coordination Trial is reducing family violence

The trial site area is in the north-eastern region of the State – covering the 63 telephone area, including Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, Break O’Day and Flinders local government areas.

Communities

Seven Aboriginal community organisations and the Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education are located within the Northern District region.

Population

While the Australian and Tasmanian Governments have differing perspectives on the definition of Aboriginality, the 2001 ABS Census shows the total Aboriginal population of Tasmania to be 15,806 (7,899 males and 7,907 females), comprising approximately 3.5% of the total Tasmanian population. The total Aboriginal population for the Northern District is some 20% (3165 persons) of the State’s Aboriginal population

ABS age demographics for Aboriginal people living in Tasmania show a growing population of larger and younger families compared to non-Aboriginal people. 59.1% of the Aboriginal population in Tasmania are under 25 years of age (compared with 34.8% across total population) and only 2.6% are aged 65 years and over (13.2% across total population).

Community Partners

From an initial series of information sessions (October 2003) held across the Trial site to inform Aboriginal people of the COAG Trials, Aboriginal people from Trial site areas have been invited to self-nominate to work in partnership with governments on the Tasmanian Trial.

To January 2005, several small groups of interested people are working with the Project team in Deloraine, Launceston, St Marys, St Helens, Cape Barren Island and Flinders Island localities, determining priorities around addressing the impact of family violence and working towards shared community projects as a means of tackling the issue. The invitation stands for increased involvement from the community.

A very important basis for the Trial is that Aboriginal people and government looks at the ‘processes’ it takes to work well together, refining these more effectively through addressing the Trial theme.

Australian Government Sponsor and Partner

Mr Bill Farmer, Secretary, Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. COAG Project Officers are located within the Indigenous Co-ordination Centre – Tasmania.

Tasmania State Government Partner

Department of Premier and Cabinet. COAG Project Officer is located within the Office of Aboriginal Affairs.

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Shared Responsibility Agreements

Developing and implementing effective Shared Responsibility Agreements remains the key priority of the Trial in Tasmania.

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Our News

Whats happening in the trial sites. Links will take you to the full story in the 'News' section of this site.

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