Best start for indigenous kids

A NEW Children and Family Centre will be built in Rockhampton to help indigenous children get the best start in life.

The city is one of ten in Queensland to benefit from a $75 million investment by the Federal Government.

Minister Kate Ellis said today the centres would target the needs of indigenous families and their young children, although all families would be able to use them.

The centre would be a hub for services to help children develop in terms of health, education and social interaction.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the state would contribute land for the centres where possible and would talk to communities about specific sites and what services best suited local needs.

“This is about providing real support for vulnerable Queensland children and their families,” she said.

Towns and cities had been chosen because of their growing numbers of indigenous children.

It is intended to open the Rockhampton centre in 2012.