Torres Strait visit to boost Indigenous birth registrations
Queensland’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages will visit Thursday Island next week to meet community members and service providers in a bid to boost Indigenous birth registrations.
Registrar-General, David John said he would be on the island with other registry staff from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 October to meet with service providers and local parents.
“We’re currently undertaking a project to increase the birth registration rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland,” Mr John said.
“Sessions will be held with service providers and the general public to seek the views of people living in the Torres Strait about how we can increase the number of birth registrations.
“We want to hear if they’ve observed any issues or barriers when registering a birth or obtaining a birth certificate and how they think the registry can improve access to the birth registration and certification system.”
“In addition, our community engagement officer Victoria Bell-Locke will be available to assist parents with birth registration and certificate applications on Monday and Wednesday at the Thursday Island Magistrates Court.”
The information gathering sessions will be held on Tuesday (16 October) at the Port Kennedy Hall, 66 Douglas Street.
- Session one, for service providers: 10am to 1pm. Lunch provided.
- Session two, for the general public (particularly parents): 5.30 to 6.30pm. Sausage sizzle included.
Kupai Omasker (traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption) will not be an issue discussed at the sessions as it is the subject of a separate project being undertaken by the Queensland Government.
To attend the sessions, please contact Samantha Baulch on BDMCommunityLiaison@justice.qld.gov.au or 07 3033 6775.