Employment Services: 2007-08 Budget initiatives
A Better Future for Indigenous Australians – Building an Indigenous Workforce in Government Service Delivery
The Australian Government is providing $97.2 million over four years from 2007-08 to convert Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) positions into at least 825 jobs in government service delivery. These Indigenous Australians will receive the full benefits of normal employment arrangements, including access to real career pathways. This initiative will remove the cross-subsidisation of government service delivery by CDEP in targeted sectors. These jobs will be in environment and heritage protection, community care, childcare and Indigenous community policing.
A Better Future for Indigenous Australians – Enhanced Opportunities for Participation in Remote Communities
The Australian Government is providing $23 million over five years from 2006-07 to reduce welfare and stimulate employment and participation opportunities in remote communities. Under this initiative the removal of activity testing exemptions in remote areas across Australia will continue, with all remote area exemptions to be removed by 2010-11. The Australian Government, in consultation with state and territory governments, has been working to progressively remove remote area exemptions in communities where sufficient employment opportunities or appropriate participation alternatives are available.