Government procurement to drive indigenous jobs

The minister for finance and deregulation Penny Wong and minister for indigenous employment and economic development Mark Arbib have welcomed approval of the Indigenous Training, Employment and Supplier Plan under the Gillard Government’s enhanced Indigenous Opportunities Policy (IOP).   IOP is part of the Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage, and halving […]

Alice Springs gets $4.1m for makeover

As part of the Alice Springs Transformation Plan the town will receive $4.1 million in funding from the Federal Government.   The package includes funding for extra street lighting in problem areas, as well as more support for young people and families.   The Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin said the safety and […]

Calls to Close the Gap within the public-service

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) this week urged the Federal Government to address Indigenous pay gaps in the Australian Public Service (APS). CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agencies were under-funded and staff received lower pay rates than colleagues in other APS agencies working at the same level. “The […]

Chasing the pathway to cultural competence

By Angela Dorizas Government employees can now increase their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, with the launch of the Centre for Cultural Competence Australia (CCCA). CCCA is the first online provider of accredited, competency based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural training courses. It provides cultural training for both public and private […]

Voters ready to debate constitutional change

By Angela Dorizas Australians are a ready to consider changes to the Constitution, but support for local government recognition is not strong enough for a successful referendum campaign. The second phase of results from the Australian Constitutional Values Survey found strong support for referenda on Indigenous recognition and changing Australia’s federal system. Conducted by Professor […]

Indigenous councils tackle asset management

By Angela Dorizas Finance managers and chief executive officers from Queensland’s Indigenous councils met in Cairns today for an asset management masterclass. Local Government Minister Desley Boyle said the workshop was organised following consultations with the Indigenous Councils Finance Managers Network. She said the Government was providing support for all councils in Queensland to help […]

State agencies support Indigenous Kokoda walk

Indigenous youth leaders have completed a walk along the Kokoda trail thanks to state and federal government agencies and the private sector. As part of the Jobs Australia Foundation’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, 21 indigenous youths were sponsored to walk a Papua New Guinea track made famous by Australian and New Zealand soldiers during World […]

$36 million for Indigenous councils

By Angela Dorizas Queensland’s most remote Indigenous councils are set to receive an extra $36 million in State Government funding to improve service delivery and employment opportunities within their communities. The funding was announced on Wednesday by Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Desley Boyle. “Funding of more than $36 […]

Councils must increase Indigenous employment

By Rob O’Brien Councils have been dragging their feet on the issue of work opportunities for Indigenous Australians, an Aboriginal employment agency has said. The Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES) has reported that Indigenous Australians currently make up just one per cent of the sector’s 170,000-strong workforce. AES chief executive, Danny Lester, said councils had an […]

Workforce sits on demographic faultline

By Angela Dorizas Councils must recruit, retain and develop a greater number of Indigenous employees to alleviate future workforce demands, a former local government minister has said.   Chair of the Australian Centre of Excellence of Local Government (ACELG) and former senator, Margaret Renynolds, last night released a green paper on Indigenous employment within the […]

Closing the gap on Indigenous employment

By Angela Dorizas Joining the ranks of the federal public service last week were sixty-two Indigenous Australians, ready to begin their career in government. Established by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) the Indigenous Australian Government Development Program provides Indigenous Australians with accredited training and work experienced in the public service. The program […]

Governments must address Indigenous disadvantage: COAG Reform Council

By Angela Dorizas The COAG Reform Council has released its first assessment of all nine Australian governments against National Agreements on healthcare, housing, Indigenous reform and disability. COAG Reform Council chairman, Paul McClintock, said the review presented stark findings that governments must address, particularly in relation to Indigenous disadvantage. “The overwhelming disadvantage of Indigenous Australians is an […]

Procurement policy to boost Indigenous employment

The Australian Government is seeking to increase Indigenous employment, training and supplier opportunities through changes to procurement policies. Announced by Federal Minster for Employment Participation Mark Arbib, the enhanced Indigenous Opportunities Policy will provide Indigenous communities with greater opportunites to engage in Government procurement projects delivered in their area. From July 1, tenders for Government projects […]

Local leadership training for Indigenous Australians

By Angela Dorizas The Federal Government is holding more than 50 workshops over the next six months to promote local leadership in Indigenous communities. Federal Indigenous Leader Jenny Macklin met with 37 new Indigenous engagement officers on Thursday to discuss issues affecting their local communities, including housing, employment, health and safety. Ms Macklin said the […]

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