If you support the Palm Island Community Store Aboriginal Corporation’s bid to run the Palm Island store instead of a government apponted committee, please leave your name in the comments section below. Please feel free to make a short comment.
At an appropriate time determined by PICSAC the letter and comments will be passed on to Mr. Beattie and Mr. Pitt.
Please pass the link to this page as far and wide as you can. https://paradigmoz.wordpress.com/an-open-letter-to-the-queensland-government-in-support-of-palm-island-community-control-of-the-palm-island-community-store/
For information about the PICSAC bid https://paradigmoz.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/the-palm-island-community-store-self-determination-and-economic-development-or-more-government-bullshit/
To the Premier of Queensland, Mr. Peter Beattie and the Queensland Minister for Communities, Mr. Warren Pitt.
We the undersigned are writing to you regarding the privatisation of the Palm Island store and the decision the government has to make in awarding the tender for the store.
You are faced with a choice between a body dominated by government representatives and people not from the Palm Island community or a corporation controlled by the people of Palm Island. We strongly urge you to support community self management as a key principle in making your decision.
We hope you will see the development of the Palm Island Community Store Aboriginal Corporation as a very significant and positive step in building a culture of economic enterprise, self responsibility and community pride amongst the people of Palm Island. We certainly do.
Please support this innovative development and award the Palm Island store tender to the Palm Island Community Store Aboriginal Corporation.
Yours sincerely,
The people whose names appear below.
(If you just want to leave your name with no comment please write your name or “I agree” inside the comment box to be able to post. If your post won’t go through and you get a “duplicate message” notice when you try again, it has got caught in the spam filter and will show up within a day).
PARADIGM OZ 
John Tracey
I agree
I AGREE
All levels of government should be doing everything in their power to assist Aboriginal people achieve self determination, not thwart their efforts at every turn.
I agree 0
I AGREE
Self determination, Aboriginal control over Aboriginal things. Privatisation is to feed the greed of govt and corporations. People before Profit.
I Agree.
the prices for daily necessities are hugely marked up at this store.the type of mark up you might begrudgingly accept at a resort,yet these prices are well beyond those of the mainland and also well exceed the prices of its neighbouring island ‘magnetic island’?why is this?if i had to pay up to 400% more for my basic needs in townsville..i would be upset along with around 160,000 residents of townsville!
I agree
Aboriginal Self Determination NOW!!!
I agree
The Indigenous Social Justice Association – Melbourne is an activist group campaigning to stop Aboriginal deaths in custody. To end deaths in custody means looking at the big picture. Indigenous control of Indigenous affairs is essential. This is why we support the bid for the Palm Island store to be controlled by people from the local Palm Island community.
I agree
I Agree .
Errol Wyles
I support the corporation controlled by the aboriginal people
I agree
This has been going on for years and years and years and enough is enough – Mr Beattie, stores on community should be community-owned and community-managed, no two-ways about it, and it’s your responsibility to make sure that happens – the Palm Island store for Palm Island people!
The last thing Palm Island or any other Aboriginal community needs is more white interference in their lives. Show that all the rhetoric about economic development means something and give the store to the people. They’re sure to do a better job because they’ll be doing it for their own benefit, not for take-away profit.
I agree
Palm Island community need to have control over their store. Indigenous control of Indigenous affairs is essential!
I support the ideals of the Indigenous Community on Palm Island to run their own store. The Queensland Government can offer support and expertise, but not take it over.
The Palm Island community has a worthwhile model in place to ensure the efficient running of the Store, for the benefit of the whole community.
Politicians give well-rehearsed speeches on “practical reconciliation” and “employment opportunities” yet fail to bring these into reality.
The Palm Island Community Store Aboriginal Corporation SHOULD be running the Palm Island Store – there is no other right decision.
I agree – the Palm Island Community Store Aboriginal Corporation should be given the tender to run the Palm Island Store – THERE IS NO OTHER RIGHT DECISION !!!
I agree
self determination begins at the community level. i and the indigenous social justice association strongly support this move but management must be controlled by the community and not one ‘strong’ family.
fkj
I agree
A community store should be run by the community and benefit the community. Buraucrats have no business in a community store.
This is a no-brainer, folks. The local community can manage the store much more efficiently than any out-of-towners, since they can respond quickly to changing demands.
Agree
I agree.
I agree.
I agree
A store run by the local community can better service the community while fostering autonomy, pride and generating employment. While doing this any profits would remain in the community.
The government proposed alternative is condescending and goes counter to their stated aims in relation to this community and others, similar.
I agree.
I agree. It’s time something positive happened for the people of Palm Island.
The management of thePalm Island community store should be controlled by their community.
I agree
Having recently had the pleasure of meeting and talking with two people from Palm Island, I would strongly support an Aboriginal Corporation running the local store. It is an important service to the people living on Palm Island, would provide employment opportunities, and the chance to manage and control the store. We certainly need some more examples of Indigenous people having a say and having more control over their lives and their communities.
I believe that the government should be supporting and delivering management training for all Aboriginal business’s on government reserves and letting the people run their own stores and services. However these position’s should be filled by people who are honest and genuinely seek to better the outcomes for future development for all in the community.
This is a no-brainer – with the abolition of CDEP and the intervention task teams that the Federal Government has now mobilised in NT Aboriginal communities, where is the opportunity to follow through on self-determination for Aboriginal communities.
Give people a chance to earn a wage – not a hand out on Palm Island and be brave enough to allow Palm Island to run their own business.
The situation on Bathurst Island, the Tiwi Islands in Northern Territory is that the club is owned by peoples off the island and all the funds leave the island. Don’t allow this happen on Palm Island. They have suffered enough.
Be brave!
I fully support the Palm Island Community to manage the Palm Island Store. I have seen stores in remote communities managed by outsiders who charge exorbitant prices and are obviously taking advantage of the local community. I think it is a disgrace and I think the local community managing their own store makes much more sense.
(I couldn’t work out how to sign the petition online, but am happy for you to forward this email on to the appropriate people.)
Another takeover bid!
Dear Mr Beattie,
I support PICSAC running the local store rather than government involvement. These people have been through enough.
Mr Premier,
Please give priority to Community management of the store. The indigenous people must be encouraged to manage businesses in their own country.
Mr Beattie
There should be no question here! It is long over due. Please provide the people of Palm Island with a opportunity to work together to create a stronger and proud community.
Thank you
Community members and ‘ownership’ is the hallmark of a successful venture in any community. I support the notion of the community running their local store.
i agree
The Queensland Government haven’t helped at all. How about leaving it to the people who know the situation best, the people who live on Palm Island?
I agree.
I agree.
I agree
i agree, the government needs to take note of the strength of our people, they will try everything they know to take away our culture, including taking up residence in palm island, to keep an eye on things????? THEY WANT OUR SACRED MOTHER LAND FOR THEIR GREEDY DEVELOPMENTS, MONEY! THEY THINK WE PRIMITIVE, AND WE ARE DEEP! BUT WE CAN BEAT THEM AT THEIR OWN GAME!POWER TO THE PEOPLE!! AS THE YOUTH AND FUTURE TODAYS GOVERNMENT DISGUSTS ME AND ALOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE I KNOW, THE FEDERAL MINISTER FOR ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS NEEDS TO STEP DOWN AND GIVE OUR PEOPLE THE JOB!! HE HAS NO IDEA ABOUT OUR PEOPLE SO WHILE WE’RE AT IT VOTE HIM OUT TOO!! HE HAS DONE NOTHING FOR OUR MOB!GET OUT OF PALM ISLAND YOU STOLE THE REST OF OZ LEAVE DAT SMALL PARADISE ALONE!!!
So true Yaraan, respect to you sister.
I agree
i agree
I agree
We agree!!
This is embarassing excuse me while I hide my head in shame
…idiots…
it’s not our land or it is our land if the respect is there for those who are the land …
think about that…
respect and allow the people of this land to stand strong and beautiful … beauty full ..
that simple … simple that
… I mean really … yeah really …
With great repsect
understanding yet really not understanding
leave palm island alone
recieve my peace fullness in return
I
I agree
Let aboriginal people take care of their own aboriginal store. Let aboriginal people control aboriginal affairs.
Remember Coronderk – aboriginals made a profit so were shipped off to Gippsland
I agree
I agree
I agree. Mr Beattie, let’s see a decision that shows a government willing to make a new, positive start on Palm Island, after so much pain.
A community store should be run by the community and benifit the members of that community. Please do something right for these people and give them the support they need to run this store for themselves. Do not give it to those who are a fuelled by greed and will take another thing away from a people that have already lost so much. They need our support not another kick in the pants.
I agree
I agree
here we go again they say they want to help wll leave us to our own methods and maybe we will suceed
Mr Beattie, the store on Palm Island should be community-owned and community-managed. There should be no question here! You say you and you government want to help Indigenous Queenslander with self determenation, so provide the people of Palm Island with a opportunity to work together to create a stronger and proud community. It is your responsibility to make sure that happens – the Palm Island store for Palm Island people!
I agree. This could be an important initiative. It is also essential to develop opportunities where the money and the drive stays within a community
I agree with Aboriginal people working with Aboriginal people.
I AGREE!!!
i agree
I agree.
I agree!!
I agree
I agree
If Palm Island has a store, the locals should have the right to run it! The opposing group have their own agenda, which I doubt is concerned with having any benefit for the local community. If the PICSAC are running it, they will get the best deals for the produce they want, not unlike the fair market trade that happens throughout ‘white’ Australian communities.
Nobody else really has the right to run it.
I agree.
When you empower people you loose control of them, every dictator knows that!!!!.
Please support this Initative by the Palm Island Store, Aboriginal Corporation.
Report after reports recommend A&TSI ownership and empowerment. Let’s move forward to practical reconciliaiton and provide a real future through employment and opportunity.
I agree – and i have just heard Fiona Stanley, former Australian of the Year, speaking on the radio about the importance of local self determination to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, especially in regard to despair and abuse, this is a very easy step for you to take as there is a local community group ready to take on this job.
I agree.
I agree
We strongly support for the Palm Island Community Store Aboriginal Corporation’s bid to manage the Palm Island store.
I agree with the opinion expressed in the above letter.
I agree
I support the Palm Island community’s right to manage their own store. Self-determination begins at the local level.
I agree.
I Agree
I agree and urge that the Palm Islanders be allowed to run their own store
On what basis can the government in Brisbane decide that our Palm Island brothers & sisters aren’t capable or worthy enough to run their own community? Why is the profit motive more important than faith in a community??
I agree entirely.
Please support the Palm Island Store Aboriginal Corporation Initiative.
Every report ever written strongly recommends A&TSI ownership and empowerment as a means towards what should be the goal and aim of every Australian to reconcile with, say sorry to, and provide a real and tangible future through respect, employment and opportunity for the Indigenous People of Australia.
When will we learn that the only way to help is to work at the direction of, with and along side and Aboriginal people.
To those with power, the more you impose, the more you oppress and the more you create resistance, anger, helplessness and dispair. Offer support, expertise and resources – things that have been stolen from Aboriginal people anyway – and a positive future becomes possible.
Self-determination is the only way to empower, skill and build community – any/every community can only stand tall with pride when they are determining thier own future.
Of course self-determination for our A&TSI brothers and sisters is essential – it worked for 60,000 years until us non indigenous people turned up and began systematically and brutally to steal it from them. Palm Island is a microcosm of the larger global history of dispossession and coercion of first peoples. If the Queensland government can finally begin the process of restitution by handing back control in this one community, it will be a small step towards redressing historical injustices that have echoes around Australia and across the planet.
I agree
It will help with our peoples’ self determination and only we can fix the problems of our people so give us go!
Aboriginal people should be in control of the stores in their communities
all the best
I agree
I agree, please support the Locals.
Having shopped at the Palm Island Store, I was amazed at the high prices compared with those charged on nearby Magnetic Island. The Community Council should be encouraged in their bid to run the store and further indigenous involvement in managing Palm Island.
Have spent a few days on Palm Island and am aware of some of the needs of the people. Need to be able to run their own affairs so I support this petition.
Indigenous control of Indigenous affairs is essential.
Indigenous control of Indigenous affairs is essential.
I agree
i agree
I agree. How can we expect good nutrition if food prices are too high.
I Agree
I strongly agree
I agree
I agree that the Palm Island Community should be encouraged to run their store.
I agree. The Palm Island community should be able to run their own store. The community should be encouraged to take control of their own affairs.
I agree, why should people outside of the community be responsible for what happens within the community!
I agree
I’m writing this in support of the Palm Island Community Store Aboriginal Corporation’s bid to manage the Palm Island Store, for a sustainable economy they are the best long term choice.
I agree
The needs of the Palm-Island- Community are undisputably best supported by members of the community. Outsiders, no matter their good intentions, lack the awareness and inner knowledge of life and living within this community, and run the risk of making subjective judgements that are contrary or even detrimental to supporting the needs and well-being of the people of this community.
I agree …
I agree
I agree.
I agree
I agree.
I’m writing in support of the Palm Island Community Store Aboriginal Corporation’s bid to manage the Palm Island Store.
I totally agree,
I agree
Support self determintion of indigenous people, keep them in control of their lives, their store
I agree.
allow the aboriginals to run their own store, help them to do so.
The Aboriginal rights to operate this store should be a priority.
Agreed
I agree.Please give these people their dignity
I totally agree
I agree
Agreed. THe Community Store Aboriginal Corporation seems a far better choice. Good luck. Hope you get some justice. Hare Krsna.
Leave it be. live and let live.
I AGREE
Please award the tender to the locally based consortium . Self-management is needed on Palm!
“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation” (Lk 19:41-44) – If Christ represented Truth and Freedom- Then it’s time we as Australian Indigenous did the same in unity. (I totally agree)
I was gobsmacked on my first visit to Palm Island to be told that the store was NOT owned by the community. I agree.
We are alive, because we have survived… so let us seek our own destiny and let us control our own future!
I agree
Yes! The Palm Island community should own and manage their community store.
Palm Island people should be in control of the community store. I agree
It would be lovely to see our own people managing their own businesses on the island…there is so much potential over there. But please first lets have some support of skills and the education in knowing how to run a business successfully….from
-managers skills
-managing staff (& staff PD)
-managing finance
-understanding of goods & services and the transporting of goods to the island…and the cost involved etc. etc
We want success but with business success comes a high standard of education and a lot of hard work….we are tired of being ripped off!
I agree. Power to our people for self determination.
Totally agree. As a local, it would be great to see money generated from the store, go to building better infrastructure for the Palm Island community.
I agree
I agree.
I agree. Power, peace and action to those working towards realising a whole, empowered, and rationally, not racially, governed australian society.
I agree
Let Indigenous people take control of their own lives.
I agree
Signing on behalf of the Women’s Reconciliation Network NSW …
We fully support the Palm Island community’s bid to control their community store. It is their right.
I agree, and wish the community the very best of luck in getting out of this stitch up.
Rebecca Copas (previously Marker)
there are folk who try to tell Aboriginal people that the 1967 referendum was a vote made for Aboriginal people to manage Aboriginal business, so its about time that was enabled
apart from any other fact, the health statistics can be dramatically improved only by Aboriginal people being provided real culturally appropriat information about what is available in the health food industry, and alternative health care industry, and which can be transported to remote shops at the same cost as transporting junk food
not only has the government been abusing by not enabling Aboriginal management, but also by excluding Aboriginal businesses from learning about that alternative therapies and health food industry
I agree. It is about time, for too long the affairs of the Aboriginal people have been made by the wrong people; let them finally decide what they want and what is best for them.
Active involvement within a community that you live in, can only strengthen a community, i wish you all the best, i am sure it will be a great success!!
I agree
I agree
I totally agree!
I agree – keep the money on Palm!
I agree.
The Government continues to say that these remote communities need to become self sufficient and independant but fail to see that the Palm Island Community Store Aboriginal Corporation is just that support.
Give them the means to show you their ability.
I agree.
I agree and think it’s a great way for Palm Island to make some money to help maintain facilities.
I agree. Power to the Palm people!
Agree. Self determination is essential.
greetings from Denmark
i agree
I stand with you,one in the spirit
I agree and we all should support this great idea.
I agree – It’s time
I Agree
Palm Island Community Store must stay under community control. Everyone’s seen what a disaster consecutive Govts. (Liberal/Labor) have caused to N.T. communities under the so-called emergency response. Hands off Palm Island! It’s 2011 not 1788!
mr beattie it should be left to the people of palm island they know what they want better than anyone