Research into the lived experiences of Australian South Sea Islander people, including levels of disadvantage

Despite recognition by both the Commonwealth Government and the Queensland Government that Australian South Sea Islanders (ASSI) are a unique cultural group, the ASSI community has continued to experience social and economic disadvantage.

In March 2015, the Australian Government released a report, The Call for recognition: A report on the situation of Australian South Sea Islanders, which highlighted the hardship and discrimination faced by Australian South Sea Islander people. The Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs concluded that there had been insufficient action to address ASSI peoples’ ongoing disadvantage and that their social and economic situation was a matter of national concern.

In 2022-23, the Queensland Government committed $1.069M to address ongoing disadvantage. Multicultural Affairs Queensland (MAQ) is managing the funding, of which this research project is a key component.

MAQ is codesigning the research project with the Queensland United Australian South Sea Islander Council (QUASSIC). QUASSIC and MAQ share a common interest in establishing an evidence base which identifies strengths, opportunities, and areas of disadvantage within the Queensland ASSI community. The project will also seek to identify potential focus areas for action to remediate disadvantage.

The findings and outcomes of the research will be shared with the community and government agencies in ways that are geared toward education, advocacy, and social change.

James Cook University have been engaged to deliver the research project and issued this media release about the research on 25 June 2024.