Family Responsibilities Commission

Report to the Family Responsibilities Board and
The Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

Quarterly Report
No. 27

January 2015 to March 2015

Report prepared by the Family Responsibilities Commission under the leadership of Commissioner David Glasgow

Executive Summary
During quarter 27, 1,002 within jurisdiction agency notices were received by the Family Responsibilities Commission (the Commission), an increase of 28 from last quarter.  There were 601 conferences held for the same period, representing an increase of 87 from last quarter.  Twenty-nine Family Responsibility Agreements (FRAs) were entered into, 27 orders were made to attend community support services and 39 Conditional Income Management (CIM) orders were issued.  When compared to last quarter, this represents an increase of 26 FRA’s, a decrease of 6 orders to attend community support services and a decrease of 19 CIM orders.

Voluntary Income Management (VIM) agreements increased by eight from last quarter.  Since the commencement of the Commission 110 Voluntary Income Management (VIM) agreements have been processed.  VIM agreements are requested in order to assist with budgeting and to ensure funds remain available for purchases.  The Commission considers an increase in VIM numbers to be indicative of community members resuming responsibility for their lives.

The Commission case-managed 132 clients during the quarter, making 51 referrals relating to 43 clients.  Further activity during the quarter consisted of 18 Applications to Amend or End Agreements or Orders (a decrease of 10 from the previous quarter).  No Show Cause conferences were held during quarter 27 (a decrease of 6 from last quarter).

From the commencement of the 2015 year a review of expenditure was undertaken and major efforts made to cut current and projected expenditure.  Additionally, due to the departure of the Registrar in December 2014, the Commissioner undertook a restructure of the Commission to reduce the cost of operations.  As a result of this restructure Maxine McLeod, the Human Resource and Policy Manager, transitioned into the position of Registrar/General Manager.  Maxine McLeod was seconded to the Commission in 2009 from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General and accepted this position whilst incorporating her HR and policy functions into the Registrar’s role.  Upon the departure of the Executive Officer (Management) in February 2015, the new position of Accountant was created and the Commission welcomed Andrea Cotten into this role.  The Commission also welcomed Francesca Adams into the vacant position of Hope Vale Local Coordinator in January 2015.

As the BasicsCard was not an available option to the Doomadgee Commissioners in 2014, this quarter they adopted the policy of conferencing local carers and parents on the need for the children in their care not only to attend school regularly, but to become better behaved whilst at school. Carers were also advised that if attendance did not reach and maintain 80 per cent in term 1 of 2015, a Conditional Income Management Order would be made against them.  For term 1 of 2015 BasicsCards have still been unavailable.  Local Commissioners proceeded in a similar manner to 2014, actively conferencing clients and working on a cooperative and collaborative approach whilst referring clients to service providers. There has been a significant degree of cooperation notwithstanding that the Doomadgee school roll is not currently a reliable record which has created difficulties in bringing clients to conference.  Local Commissioners and the Doomadgee Local Coordinator are working closely with officers of the Remote Schools Attendance Strategy, the Principal and her staff at the school to obtain accurate information to facilitate the conferencing process. Local Commissioner Christopher Logan is the Coordinator of this Australian Government program in Doomadgee.

On 26 January fourteen Local Commissioners of the Family Responsibilities Commission were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to an Indigenous community of the Cape York Peninsula. Commissioner David Glasgow of the Family Responsibilities Commission was also appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law as a Magistrate, and to the Indigenous communities of Northern Queensland. 

The fourteen Local Commissioners who were awarded medals are from the following communities:

Aurukun
•	Edgar Kerindun
•	Vera Koomeeta
•	Doris Poonkamelya
•	Sarah Wolmby, and
•	Ada Woolla	Coen
•	May Kepple
•	Elaine Liddy
•	Peter Peter, and
•	Garry Port	
Hope Vale
•	Brian Cobus
•	Victor Gibson, and
•	Doreen Hart	Mossman Gorge
•	Karen Gibson, and
•	Loretta Spratt	

Commissioner Glasgow and the Local Commissioners have gained the respect of both the Queensland and Australian Governments. That the Commission can work effectively is demonstrated by the fact that under the Commissioner’s leadership and especially the leadership of its Local Commissioners, the Commission is recognised as a true partner in reforming life behaviours in Indigenous communities.

Table of contents

1.  Activities and Trends		5
2.  Observations, Challenges and Future Direction	11
3.  Financial Operations		13

Abbreviations
CIM		Conditional Income Management
CYWR		Cape York Welfare Reform
DATSIP		Department of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
DET		Department of Education and Training
EFV		Ending Family Violence 
FRA		Family Responsibilities Agreement
FRC		Family Responsibilities Commission
VIM		Voluntary Income Management
Also:		
Family Responsibilities Commission (the Commission)
Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 (the Act)
Family Responsibilities Commission Registry (the Registry)
Family Responsibilities Board (the Board)

Family Responsibilities Commission
Cape York Welfare Reforms

Report to 31 March 2015.
1.  Activities and Trends

Notices
In quarter 27 the Commission received 1,277 agency notices.  Some individuals may have been the subject of more than one agency notice.  Of that figure 1,002 notices (78 percent) were within the Commission’s jurisdiction and 275 notices (22 percent) were outside the Commission’s jurisdiction.

Within jurisdiction notices comprised of:

	281	Magistrates Court notices
	587	School Attendance notices
	24	School Enrolment notices
	76	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	34	Housing Tenancy notices

Of the 275 notices not within the Commission’s jurisdiction, there were 119 Magistrates Court notices, 140 School Attendance notices, 0 School Enrolment notices, 13 Child Safety and Welfare notices and 3 Housing Tenancy notices.

Details of notices within jurisdiction for each community are set out below:

•	Aurukun’s 386 notices constitute 38.52 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction across the welfare reform communities:

	127	Magistrates Court notices
	201	School Attendance notices
	24	School Enrolment notices
	26	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	8	Housing Tenancy notices

Eighteen Magistrates Court notices, 1 School Attendance notice and 1 Child Safety and Welfare notice were processed as not within jurisdiction.

•	Coen’s 33 notices constitute 3.29 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction:

	27	Magistrates Court notices
	2	School Attendance notices
	0	School Enrolment notices
	2	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	2	Housing Tenancy notices

Six Magistrates Court notices were processed as not within jurisdiction.
•	Doomadgee’s 262 notices constitute 26.15 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction:

	246	School Attendance notices
	0	School Enrolment notices
	16	Child Safety and Welfare notices

One hundred and thirty-one School Attendance notices and 8 Child Safety and Welfare notices were processed as not within jurisdiction.

•	Hope Vale’s 253 notices constitute 25.25 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction:

	91	Magistrates Court notices
	113	School Attendance notices
	0	School Enrolment notices
	28	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	21	Housing Tenancy notices

Two Magistrates Court notices, 8 School Attendance notices, 4 Child Safety and Welfare notices and 3 Housing Tenancy notices were processed as not within jurisdiction.

•	Mossman Gorge’s 68 notices constitute 6.79 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction:

	36	Magistrates Court notices
	25	School Attendance notices
	0	School Enrolment notices
	4	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	3	Housing Tenancy notices

Ninety-three Magistrates Court notices were processed as not within jurisdiction.

Since its commencement the Commission has received 20,264 agency notices within its jurisdiction.  Total notices decreased from 1,392 in quarter 26 to 1,277 in quarter 27.  Of those notices in jurisdiction Magistrates Court, School Enrolment and Housing Tenancy notices increased, whilst School Attendance and Child Safety and Welfare notices decreased.

Magistrates Court notices increased this quarter to 281 from 187 received in the previous quarter.  Four communities experienced an increase in notices this quarter, Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge.  Each increased by 47, 3, 18 and 26 notices respectively.  The Commission does not receive Magistrates Court notices for Doomadgee.

School Attendance notices decreased from 686 in quarter 26 to 587 in quarter 27.  Three out of the five communities experienced a decrease in notices this quarter.  Aurukun, Coen and Hope Vale decreased by 51 notices, 24 notices and 66 notices respectively, whilst Doomadgee and Mossman Gorge increased by 32 notices and 10 notices respectively.

School Enrolment notices increased from 0 in quarter 26 to 24 in quarter 27.  Aurukun increased by 24 notices whilst all remaining communities remained unchanged with zero school enrolment notices received for the quarter.

Child Safety and Welfare notices decreased from 80 in quarter 26 to 76 in quarter 27.  Coen and Doomadgee decreased by 6 notices and 5 notices respectively, whilst Aurukun increased by 7 notices and Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge remain unchanged.

Housing Tenancy notices increased to 34 from 21 received in the previous quarter.  Aurukun, Coen and Mossman Gorge decreased by 4 notices, 2 notices and 1 notice respectively, whilst Hope Vale increased by 20 notices.  The Commission does not receive Housing Tenancy notices for Doomadgee.

The Commission receives school attendance data from the Department of Education and Training and (DET) and is published on the Commission’s web page at http://www.frcq.org.au when available.

Table 1: In jurisdiction notices by type and quarter 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Notices by Agency Processed	Qtr 23	Qtr 24	Qtr 25	Qtr 26	Qtr 27	
Magistrates Court	324	248	237	187	281	
School Attendance	444	477	516	686	587	
School Enrolment	0	21	1	0	24	
Child Safety	75	48	108	80	76	
Housing Tenancy	16	14	9	21	34	
TOTAL	859	808	871	974	1002	

Table 2: In jurisdiction notices by community and quarter 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2015.

Community	Qtr 23	Qtr 24	Qtr 25	Qtr 26	Qtr 27	
Aurukun	461	429	395	363	386	
Coen	25	23	67	62	33	
Doomadgee			9	235	262	
Hope Vale	303	310	351	281	253	
Mossman Gorge	70	46	49	33	68	
TOTAL	859	808	871	974	1002	

Since commencement in July 2008, 84.4 percent of clients have received more than one notice with 51.8 percent of clients receiving more than five notices.  Frequently this illustrates multiple child school absences for the one family or multiple Magistrates Court notices relating to one incident.  Conversely, 15.6 percent of clients have received only one notice.

Table 3: FRC clients by number of notices 1 July 2008 to 31 March 2015.

Number of Notices Received	Number of Clients	
1	281	
2	222	
3	152	
4	112	
5	101	
>5	932	
TOTAL	1800	

(Note:  Counting rules stipulate that where multiple charges are received each charge is counted as an individual notice or each child’s absence is counted as one notice – i.e. if three children from the one family were absent, that was counted as three notices).

Conferences
Six hundred and one conferences were held across the five communities in quarter 27 resulting in 29 FRA’s being entered into, 27 orders made to attend community support services and 39 CIM orders.  Other outcomes as a result of conferencing during the quarter were decisions for no further action, rescheduling and scheduling to return for review with compliance.  Fifty-eight new clients were added to the Commission’s database during the quarter.  Details of conferencing activity in each community for quarter 27 are as follows:

	232 conferences were held in Aurukun
	16 conferences were held in Coen
	149 conferences were held in Doomadgee
	151 conferences were held in Hope Vale
	53 conferences were held in Mossman Gorge.

Conferences increased from 514 in quarter 26 to 601 in quarter 27.

Table 4: Conferences by community and quarter 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Community	Qtr 23	Qtr 24	Qtr 25	Qtr 26	Qtr 27	
Aurukun	232	225	239	225	232	
Coen	20	20	19	16	16	
Doomadgee				89	149	
Hope Vale	130	129	169	121	151	
Mossman Gorge	59	68	55	63	53	
TOTAL	441	442	482	514	601	

Referrals
The number of referrals to service providers increased from 50 in quarter 26 to 51 in quarter 27, relating to 43 clients.  Since commencement the Commission has referred 855 clients to service providers resulting in approximately 47.2 percent of clients on 12 month service referral plans.  Referrals in the communities during the quarter were as follows: Aurukun decreased by 7; Coen decreased by 4; Doomadgee increased by 8; Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge both increased by 2.

Table 5: Referral pathways by referral type and quarter 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Referral Type	Qtr 23	Qtr 24	Qtr 25	Qtr 26	Qtr 27	
MPower	42	6	8	5	9	
WBC - RDFS	63	26	26	34	29	
WBC – Medicare Local	0	0	0	1	8	
SCM	2	0	11	0	0	
Parenting Program	11	2	3	6	3	
Home Pride	0	0	0	3	0	
QLD Health	0	0	0	0	1	
Save the Children	0	0	0	0	1	
Other	6	0	2	1	0	
TOTAL	124	34	50	50	51	

Conditional Income Management
Thirty-nine CIM orders were made in quarter 27, a decrease of 19 from quarter 26.  Since the commencement of the Commission 1,559 CIM orders inclusive of original orders, extensions and amendments have been made relating to 670 clients.  During the quarter Aurukun, Coen and Mossman Gorge decreased by 10, 2 and 8 CIM orders respectively whilst Hope Vale increased by 1.  The Commission at present does not have the ability to income manage clients in Doomadgee.

As at 31 March 2015, 37 percent of the Commission’s clients have been subject to a CIM order over the past six and three quarter years.  As at 31 March 2015 there were 149 clients subject to a CIM order which equates to 8.2 percent of clients on a CIM order at a point in time.  Commissioners continue to negotiate with clients to achieve desirable outcomes or to demonstrate motivation and commitment to make appropriate life choices.  Demonstrated positive steps toward taking responsibility provide the Commissioners with sufficient reason to consider revoking CIM orders when requested by the client.

Since the commencement of the Commission in 2008, 110 VIM agreements have been processed relating to 89 clients.  Those clients that request a VIM agreement use income management as a savings and budget tool, often for a specified period and to deter family members from accessing their income.

Table 6: Conditional Income Management orders by community and quarter 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Community	Qtr 23	Qtr 24	Qtr 25	Qtr 26	Qtr 27	
Aurukun	52	26	53	32	22	
Coen	6	1	2	2	0	
Doomadgee	0	0	0	0	0	
Hope Vale	20	12	32	10	11	
Mossman Gorge	5	8	5	14	6	
TOTAL	83	47	92	58	39	

Case Management
As at 31 March 2015, 132 clients were being case managed, a decrease from 154 in quarter 26.  Aurukun and Mossman Gorge decreased by 24 and 5 respectively, whilst Coen, Doomadgee and Hope Vale increased by 2, 2 and 3 respectively.

Show Cause Notices
During quarter 27, no Show Cause hearing was held, a decrease of 6 from quarter 26.

Table 7: Show Cause Notices by community and quarter 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Community	Qtr 23	Qtr 24	Qtr 25	Qtr 26	Qtr 27	
Aurukun	9	7	2	1	0	
Coen	0	0	0	0	0	
Doomadgee	0	0	0	0	0	
Hope Vale	1	5	0	5	0	
Mossman Gorge	0	3	0	0	0	
TOTAL	10	15	2	6	0	

Applications to Amend or End Agreements or Orders
Eighteen Applications to Amend or End a Family Responsibilities Agreement or Order were received in quarter 27, a decrease of 10 from quarter 26.  Outcomes of the 18 applications received are as follows:

	11 Applications granted and Income Management agreements and orders revoked
	2 Applications dismissed
	2 Conditional Income Management orders extended for a further 12 months
	1 Application rescheduled for next quarter
	2 Applications received at the end of the quarter, decision pending

The Commission continues to encourage clients to participate in the Amend or End process.  Commissioners report increasing client confidence to question decisions and the reasons behind decisions, both for decisions delivered by the Commission and decisions delivered by external agencies and bodies.

Table 8: Applications to Amend or End FRA or Order by community and quarter 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Community	Qtr 23	Qtr 24	Qtr 25	Qtr 26	Qtr 27	
Aurukun	12	4	11	9	10	
Coen	2	4	1	1	0	
Doomadgee	0	0	0	0	0	
Hope Vale	9	12	7	10	5	
Mossman Gorge	5	5	2	8	3	
TOTAL	28	25	21	28	18	

2.  Future Direction and Challenges

In July 2012, the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry was established and Commissioner Hon Tim Carmody, QC was tasked with reviewing the effectiveness and efficiency of Queensland’s child protection system.  Subsequently on 1 July 2013 Commissioner Tim Carmody presented his final report to the Queensland Government entitled Taking responsibility: A Roadmap for Queensland Child Protection, 2013. The Commission has reviewed the trends of Child Safety notices received since the release of the Carmody Report and can report that these notifications have not declined significantly or at all, partly due to the continued receipt of domestic violence matters from the beginning of the year where children were present but un-harmed.  The community-based service, known as Family and Child Connect, that was recommended as an early intervention initiative to be established across Queensland locations to support families who are at risk of entering or re-entering the child protection system is yet to be established in the welfare reform communities. It is reported that this initiative will not be established until January 2016. This organisation will act as an intermediary between families and Child Safety and will assess whether a notification is forwarded to Child Safety for action.

During the first quarter of 2015 the Commission received 21 notices from the Department of Housing and Public Works for Hope Vale. The notices ranged from clients with three weeks worth of arrears up to 32 weeks. The Department had stopped notifying the Commission, but have since reviewed their work processes.  The Commission contacted the Department in regard to the high number of notices received in Hope Vale and the high dollar value of arrears. The Commission suggested that the department be present during the conferencing of these clients to support them directly after their conferences to re-establish direct debits and additional arrears payments. The Local Commissioners also advised clients that a consequent of non-compliance would be the imposition of income management. Housing has advised that the majority of clients conferenced have continued to pay their arrears and rental payment since conferencing with the Commission.

The Commissioners from Hope Vale report that the revitalisation of employment for the community through the Hope Vale Banana Farm has had a clear influence in the development of healthy school routines being set by the parents.  The Hope Vale experience supports the Commission’s belief that local employment opportunities are critical to changing social norms, and it is vital that wherever possible, economic development in the Cape communities must be sourced and encouraged.

The Commission has been working with the Doomadgee State School to review their current student rolls, in particular the accuracy of the carer/parent recorded. The confirmation of jurisdiction process for the Commission has identified a group of students that have parents/carers listed that have not resided in Doomadgee for some period of time and as a consequence notices are not able to be conferenced as the current parent/carer is not identified.  Additionally, the Doomadgee school operates on a weekly schedule of four extended days (8:30 am to 3:00 pm - Monday to Thursday) and one short day (8:30 am to 12:30 pm - Friday). The effect of this schedule in regard to the reported weekly and term attendance is currently being reviewed by the Commission.

In 2015 the procedure for the evaluation of ABSTUDY applications was altered without notice to the Commission. Prior to the change in process, four regional offices received and processed ABSTUDY applications for their areas.  After the amendment ABSTUDY applications were processed through a central unit and dispersed to offices around Australia. A student from Aurukun may have had his/her application reviewed by an officer in Perth. Complications and inefficiencies where caused with some applications being rejected due to a misunderstanding of the exceptions which apply to CYWR students. As a result, many applications were required to be re-completed. Furthermore, where additional information was required to complete an application, communication between the Department and the family was by letter instead of direct contact which had been the practice in the past. The consideration of applications in many instances was suspended pending receipt of this information.

A further change in the administration of ABSTUDY is that the responsibility for organising travel for students attending boarding school has transitioned from the Department of Human Services to the school. This process has granted the school greater control over the students’ arrival and departure times, however, again communication between the schools and families in relation to bookings has sometimes been inadequate. As a consequence some travel arrangements have been unsuccessful due to the late notification of flights and students have remained in community. Limited geographical knowledge in regard to the vast distances to be travelled has been a contributing factor.

The Commission, through the local knowledge of its Commissioners and transition support agencies, identified 24 un-enrolled students in Aurukun in Term 1. The Commission has worked closely with CYP to support the commencement of developing transition plans for these students through conferencing.

3.  Financial Operations

Governance

Part 12 of the Act provides for the establishment of the Family Responsibilities Board (the Board).

The Board has a mandate to give advice and make recommendations to the Minister about the operation of the Commission and similarly to give advice and make recommendations to the Commissioner about the performance of the Commission’s functions.

The Board must meet at least every six months.  The meeting may be held by using any technology available which will allow for efficient and effective communication, however, the Board members must meet in person at least once a year.  A quorum for the Board is comprised of two members.  The Board’s membership consists of:

•	Mr James Purtill	Director-General, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
•	Mr Noel Pearson		Director, Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership
•	Ms Liza Carroll	Associate Secretary – Indigenous Affairs, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Operational

In meeting obligations under Part 3 of the Act, the Family Responsibilities Commission Registry (the Registry) commenced operations on 1 July 2008 with a central Registry office established in Cairns and local Registry offices operating in each of the four CYWR communities.

The Registry, managed by the Registrar, provides corporate and operational support to the Commissioner, the Local Commissioners and the Local Coordinators.

Financial

The total funding budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year is $3.4 million (excluding Doomadgee), $1.8 million from the Australian Government and $1.6 million from the Queensland Government.

Income:
•	Income accrued by the Commission for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2015 totalled $1,020,477.  This income consisted of:
•	$400,000 Queensland Government funding
•	$88,368 Queensland Government reimbursement for Doomadgee 2014/15
•	$450,000 Australian Government funding
•	$11,039 interest received
•	$71,070 received in sundry income.
The balance of available funds in the bank as at 31 March 2015 is 1,830,006.

Expenditure:
•	Expenditure for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2015 was $881,128.  This total represents 20 percent of the projected annual expenditure of $4,462,801.

Table 9: Unaudited expenditure in quarter 27.

1 January 2015 to	Expenditure	1 January 2015 to	Expenditure	
31 March 2015	Qtr 27	31 March 2015	Qtr 27	
				
Employee salaries	$539,471	Motor vehicle	$18,574	
Employee on costs	$112,916	Property	$46,413	
Other employment costs	$9,451	Travel	$45,288	
Communications	$8,967	General operating	$54,176	
Internet & IT	$45,872			
		Total	$881,128	

Quarter 27 disbursement of expenditure by category and percentage of total expenditure.

Table 10: Total FRC Operating Costs 1 October 2014 to 31 December 2014.

Expenditure Category	Percentage of Total Expenditure	
Employee salaries	61.22%	
Employee on costs	12.81%	
Other employment costs	1.07%	
Communications	1.02%	
Internet & IT	5.21%	
Motor vehicle	2.11%	
Property	5.27%	
Travel	5.14%	
General operating	6.15%	

Regional operational expenditure by location and quarter.

Table 11: Operating Costs by remote location 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Community	Qtr 23	Qtr 24	Qtr 25	Qtr 26	Qtr 27	
Aurukun	$124K	$287K	$142K	$123K	$110K	
Coen	$17K	$47K	$25K	$27K	$11K	
Doomadgee			$104K	$105K	$88K	
Hope Vale	$71K	$134K	$92K	$91K	$96K	
Mossman Gorge	$45K	$74K	$61K	$49K	$46K	
TOTAL	$257K	$542K	$424K	$395K	$351K	

Cairns Registry expenditure for quarter 27 compared to the previous four quarters.

Table 12: Quarterly Operating Costs Cairns 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Community	Qtr 23	Qtr 24	Qtr 25	Qtr 26	Qtr 27	
Corporate Services	$279K	$348K	$259K	$231K	$189K	
Operations	$321K	$369K	$294K	$243K	$297K	
Gov/Board Reporting	$28K	$29K	$45K	$41K	$14K	
Abnormal Expenditure	$0K	$0K	$0K	$0K	$30K	
TOTAL	$628K	$746K	$598K	$515K	$530K	

APPENDIX A			

	SITTING CALENDAR 2015
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES COMMISSION
1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015		
Week Beginning	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Other	
5 January						Cooktown Circuit	
12 January						Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit	
19 January						20 ASC Meeting	
26 January	Public Holiday	27	28			26 Australia Day
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
2 February		3	4			Cooktown Circuit	
		3	4				
		3					
9 February		10	11			Aurukun Cape B Circuit	
16 February		17	18			17 ASC Meeting, 18/19 DSC Meeting	
		17	18				
		17					
23 February	23	24	25	26		Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
2 March	2	3					
		3	4				
		3					
9 March		10	11			Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit
Cooktown Circuit	
16 March		17	18			17 ASC Meeting, 18/19 DSC Meeting	
		17	18				
		17					
23 March		24	25			Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
30 March		31	1		Public Holiday	3 Good Friday	
		31					
		31					
6 April	Public Holiday					6 Easter Monday
Cooktown Circuit	
13 April						15/16 DSC Meeting
Aurukun Cape B Circuit	
20 April		21	22			21 ASC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		21	22				
		21					
27 April		28	29	30			
4 May		5	6			Cooktown Circuit	
		5	6				
		5					

	SITTING CALENDAR 2015
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES COMMISSION
1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015		
Week Beginning	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Other	
11 May	11	12	13	14		15 ASC Meeting
Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit	
18 May			20	21		20/21 DSC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		19	20				
		19					
25 May						Commissioner Development Week	
1 June	Public Holiday	2	3	4		1 Mabo Day for Doomadgee
Cooktown Circuit	
8 June	Public Holiday		10	11		8 Queen’s Birthday	
		9	10				
		9					
15 June	15	16	17	18	Public Holiday	21 Mt Isa Show, 17/18 DSC Meeting
Aurukun Cape B Circuit, Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
22 June		23	24			22, 23 ASC Meeting	
		23					
		23					
29 June							
6 July						Cooktown Circuit	
13 July		14	15	16	Public Holiday	17 Cairns Show Day, 15/16 DSC Meeting
Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
20 July		21	22			21 ASC Meeting
20 Mossman Show	
		21	22				
		21					
27 July	27	28	29	30			
3 August	Public Holiday	4	5			4 FR Board Meeting
4 Aurukun Day
Cooktown Circuit	
		4	5				
		4					
10 August	10	11	12			Aurukun Cape B Circuit
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
17 August		18	19		Public Holiday	Estimates, 21 Doomadgee Day 18 ASC Meeting, 19/20 DSC Meeting	
		18	19				
		18					
24 August	24	25	26				

	SITTING CALENDAR 2015
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES COMMISSION
1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015		
Week Beginning	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Other	
31 August		1	2			Cooktown Circuit	
		1	2				
		1					
7 September	7	8	9	10		Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit	
14 September		15	16			15 ASC Meeting, 16/17 DSC Meeting	
		15	16				
		15					
21 September							
28 September						Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
5 October	Public Holiday		7	8		5 Labour Day
Cooktown Circuit	
		6	7				
		6					
12 October	12	13	14	15		14/15 DSC Meeting
Aurukun Cape B Circuit	
19 October		20	21			20 ASC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		20	21				
26 October	26	27	28				
2 November		3	4			Cooktown Circuit	
		3	4				
		3					
9 November	9	10	11			Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit	
16 November		17	18			17 ASC Meeting, 18/19 DSC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		17	18				
23 November	23	24	25	26			
30 November		1	2			Cooktown Circuit	
		1	2				
		1					
7 December						Aurukun Cape B Circuit	
14 December						15 ASC Meeting, 16/17 DSC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
21 December					Public Holiday	25 Christmas Day	
28 December	Public Holiday				Public Holiday	28 Boxing Day, 29, 30, 31 Office closed for Xmas, 1 New Year’s Day	

LEGEND

	Office Days	
	Public Holidays	
	Aurukun Sitting	
	Coen Sitting	
	Doomadgee Sittings	
	Hope Vale Sitting	
	Mossman Gorge Sitting	
ASC	Aurukun Shire Council Meeting	
DSC	Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council Meeting	
0	Cancelled Conference	

OFFICE	CONTACT NAME	Phone	Mobile	Facsimile	
Cairns – Registrar/General Manager	Ms Maxine McLeod	4057 3871	0409 461 624	4041 0974	
Cairns – Client Manager	Ms Amy Barden	4057 3874	0419 647 948	4041 0974	
Cairns – Accountant	Ms Andrea Cotten	4057 3875	0429 495 353	4041 0974	
Aurukun Local Coordinator	Ms Dellis Gledhill	4060 6185	0428 985 106	4060 6094	
Coen Local Coordinator	Ms Sandi Rye	4060 1037	0417 798 392	4041 0974	
Doomadgee Local Coordinator	Mr Bryce Coxall	4745 8111	0418 666 204	4745 8366	
Hope Vale Local Coordinator	Ms Francesca Adams	4060 9153	0408 482 026	4060 9137	
Mossman Gorge Local Coordinator	Ms Sandi Rye	4098 1908	0417 798 392	4098 3594