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Date: 2 August 2005 Location: Brisbane Fourteen Queenslanders have the opportunity to influence the way the Queensland Government addresses domestic and family violence over the next two years. Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors, Warren Pitt, today announced the members of the new Ministerial Advisory Council on Domestic and Family Violence. Mr Pitt said the Ministerial Advisory Council on Domestic and Family Violence would provide timely advice to him, and the Queensland Government, to help develop policies, programs and services that reduce domestic and family violence. "The council will focus on the key issues of perpetrator programs, domestic and family violence legislation, Indigenous family violence and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month," Mr Pitt said. "These council members will have a crucial role in helping the government improve the safety and wellbeing of Queensland families. "Their advice about preventing domestic and family violence, and supporting victims, will help shape policies at a local, regional and state level. "Councillors also have the task of monitoring and advising on the implementation and impact of community awareness and service delivery initiatives and research priorities related to the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 1989." The Ministerial Advisory Council on Domestic and Family Violence will be structured with one representative from each of the Department of Communities' 10 regions, along with three Indigenous representative representing Aboriginal people in urban, rural and remote areas as well as Torres Strait Islander communities. "Councillors have a range of backgrounds and life experiences to ensure proper representation of all Queenslanders," Mr Pitt said. "An independent chairperson has also been appointed to facilitate the council's three meetings each year. "Having an independent chair will ensure that regional members can represent their region without the responsibilities of being chairperson. "There will also be six members representing the Queensland Government agencies of Police, Communities, Health, Child Safety, Justice and Attorney General and Office for Women." Mr Pitt said members would be encouraged to form networks across their regions and keep in contact with other councillors before each meeting to ensure they explore a diversity of issues, views and solutions. "The Ministerial Advisory Council on Domestic and Family Violence replaces the former Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Council, which ended its sixth term last December," he said. Councillors will serve a two-year term. For more information on deomstic and family violence issues, including a saftey plan, visit the Department of Communities website at: www.communities.qld.gov.au/violenceprevention/ The full list of non-government members of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Domestic and Family Violence is: Chairperson: Ms Katrina Finn; Far North Queensland, Mrs Aurora Foster; North Queensland, Ms Shirley Slann; Mackay/Whitsunday, Ms Heather Nancarrow (Deputy Chairperson); Fitzroy/Central West Queensland, Ms Susan Morris; Wide Bay-Burnett, Mrs Elizabeth Benson-Stott (emphasis added); Darling Downs/South West Queensland, Mr Keith Hunter; Moreton, Mrs Peggy Tidyman; Sunshine Coast, Gabrielle Kugnert-Murray; Greater Brisbane, Dr Brian Sullivan; Gold Coast, Ms Diane Speirs (Lucas); Urban Indigenous representative, Miss Catherine Wright; Rural and Remote Indigenous representative, Ms Rae Kelly, Torres Strait Islander respresentative; Ms Jeanette Kairupan-Vellis. <end> For more information on this topic contact: Ruth Evans 
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