Strengthening Indigenous communities

The Government is continuing to work with Indigenous communities to identify priorities and tackle disadvantage, including through Shared Responsibility Agreements. This budget commits an additional $488 million (including $115 million in capital) to high priority areas including health, education, housing, governance and leadership. The Government is spending $3.3 billion on Indigenous programmes in 2006‑07, up from $1.7 billion in 1996‑97.

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Providing greater opportunity for Indigenous Australians

The Government has committed an additional $488 million (including $115 million in capital) over five years to improve Indigenous outcomes. Priorities include:

  • $129 million for housing initiatives, including greater access to finance and financial management services
  • $67 million for education initiatives, including expanding the tutorial assistance programme and sporting academies
  • $61 million for health initiatives, such as improving access to mainstream health services
  • $55 million to help combat petrol sniffing, including further roll‑out of non‑sniffable Opal fuel, as well as prevention, diversion and rehabilitation strategies
  • $48 million for the development of community stores, to improve health and business activity
  • $28 million to improve the governance of Indigenous organisations
  • $23 million to enhance community leadership
  • $3 million to assist the development of a welfare reform trial in four Cape York communities, to improve incentives to study and work and outcomes for children. Community engagement and agreement is an essential component of the trial.

Recently, the Government announced improved employment service arrangements for participants in the Community Development Employment Projects programme, involving $127 million over four years.

Chart: Boosting Indigenous specific expenditure by $488 million (including $115 million in capital)

Boosting Indigenous specific expenditure by $488 million (including $115 million in capital)

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24 2006‑07 Budget Overview