Aboriginal liaison officer appointed (A/Min)

An Aboriginal liaison officer has been appointed by the Local Government Department to work with local authorities and Aboriginal communities throughout the State.

Announcing the appointment of Reginald Yates today, Acting Local Government Minister Gordon Hill said there was enormous potential for local governments to assist Aboriginal communities, particularly in remote areas.

"When Aboriginal communities and their elected local government councillors get together to plan the delivery of services, such as roads, housing and health, there can be significant improvements in the quality of life for these communities," he said.

"Mr Yates will play an integral role in encouraging better and closer working relations between Aboriginal communities and local authorities and organisations.

"He will be developing strategies to encourage more Aborigines to participate in local government by voting in elections or standing for election.

"He will also be encouraging local governments to offer more jobs for Aborigines."

Mr Hill said local governments were ideally placed to provide employment opportunities in small communities.

"The work can often be contracted out to the Aboriginal community," he said.

"The Shire of Wiluna, for example, has contracted out maintenance work in the eastern part of the shire to the Aboriginal communities there."

Mr Yates has been appointed under the Aboriginal Employment and Career Development Strategy.

He has been working for the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training where he was involved in a variety of Aboriginal employment projects.

He has also worked with Aboriginal communities throughout the State and has been a welder and a shearer.

"Mr Yates brings a welcome diversity of skills and experience to this job, together with a strong commitment to Aboriginal development," Mr Hill said.