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STATEMENT BY
THE HONOURABLE PHILIP RUDDOCK MP
MINISTER FOR RECONCILIATION AND
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER AFFAIRS
22 MAY 2001
© Commonwealth of Australia 2001
ISBN 0642 45749 2
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth available from AusInfo. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Manager, Legislative Services, AusInfo, GPO Box 1920, Canberra ACT 2601.
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Our Path Together
Contents
Employment and Economic Development
Rebuilding Families and Communities
Getting the Most from Government Services
Appendix A - A Record of Commitment
This statement outlines the Government's priorities in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs for the 2001-02 Budget.
In terms of almost every socio-economic indicator, Indigenous Australians are by far the most disadvantaged group in Australian society. The Government is determined to work in partnership with Indigenous people and with others to reduce Indigenous disadvantage. The 2001-02 Budget demonstrates that determination by providing a comprehensive and integrated set of new measures at an additional cost of more than $327 million over four years, building on the Government's long-term strategy of practical reconciliation.
By improving the capacity of Indigenous communities to develop sustainable economies and by targeting expenditure to achieving real outcomes in health, housing, education and employment, this Government is making an investment towards a future where all Indigenous Australians can share equally with the rest of the community in the nation's prosperity. The Government believes the best results will be achieved through working in partnership and through sharing responsibility with Indigenous Australians and is committed to programmes and services that strengthen the capacity of families and communities to manage their own affairs. The Government supports the aspirations of Indigenous Australians to become more self-reliant.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) is the Government's principal source of Indigenous advice and has been a key contributor to the development of the Government's approach to this Budget. The Budget measures also draw on views and ideas expressed by a number of Indigenous leaders including representatives of the Indigenous Community Capacity Building Roundtable. There is a groundswell of Indigenous opinion that has helped to focus attention on the devastating effects of welfare dependency. Indigenous people are calling for improved outcomes, economic development and independence from welfare and assistance in building stronger families and communities. The Government is responding to this call and will continue to seek the views of Indigenous people in determining the best way forward.
Administrative arrangements which came into effect in January this year resulted in the Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs portfolio being elevated to Cabinet. This has allowed a greater focus on Indigenous Australians at the highest level of policy development. The active involvement and commitment of other portfolio ministers will continue to be the underlying strength of this Government's approach to Indigenous affairs.
The centrepiece of the Government's 2001-02 Budget is Australians Working Together - Helping people to move forward, where the Government aims to ensure that the welfare system for people of working age provides as much encouragement as possible for people to get a job, to gain new skills, and to be involved in their communities. Indigenous Australians are far more dependent on welfare than any other group in Australian society. The Australians Working Together package pays particular attention to the needs of Indigenous people by providing $82.7 million over four years for measures specifically targeted to them. Funding of $31.6 million will also be available to Centrelink for better assessment of certain groups, mainly Indigenous people. The Government has listened to arguments from Indigenous people who maintain that the effects of entrenched welfare dependency are the major impediment to reducing Indigenous disadvantage. Clearly a new approach, taking account of the special needs of Indigenous people, is essential. This Government has shown that it is prepared to take that step.
The new initiatives in this Budget are part of a long term, coherent and outcome-focused strategy that provides additional funding for Indigenous-specific programmes for housing, employment, education and health. They also provide for increased funding for ATSIC, speedier resolution of native title claims, and for strengthening the capacity of Indigenous community organisations.
In addition to Indigenous-specific programmes, Indigenous Australians will benefit from mainstream programmes and policies which address the needs of all Australians. Economic growth and the jobs it generates are important to all Australians, especially those experiencing high rates of unemployment. Major initiatives such as the Government's Roads to Recovery and the Backing Australia's Sporting Ability - A More Active Australia initiatives have elements which will assist Indigenous Australians. The Additional Practice Nurses for Rural Australia and other areas of need initiative will assist in the management of diabetes and kidney disease which are chronic diseases suffered by many Indigenous Australians. The Defence White Paper provides $845,000 for a pilot project to enhance the participation of Indigenous youth in the Australian Defence Force Cadets. The Government's response to the Telecommunications Service Inquiry (the Besley report) will address the telecommunications requirements of Indigenous communities, including the availability of payphones and will also provide $400,000 to develop a detailed plan to address the telecommunication needs of discrete Indigenous communities.
