At its November 2008 meeting, COAG agreed on the need for very significant change in the way governments invest and operate in remote Indigenous communities. Governments agreed that poor coordination, ad hoc decision-making and inflexibility have contributed substantially to current problems. Failure to engage effectively and consistently with local people, NGOs and other stakeholders has further undermined the effectiveness of governments’ investments.
The COAG’s National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery provides a policy and organisational structure to guide investment decisions and activity in the agreed priority locations. This includes 15 locations in the Northern Territory: Galiwinku, Gapuwiyak, Gunbalanya, Hermannsburg, Lajamanu, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Nguiu, Ngukurr, Numbulwar, Wadeye, Yirrkala, Yuendumu, Angurugu and Umbakumba.
The National Partnership Agreement builds on the evidence of what has worked well in the Northern Territory and includes a single government interface at the community and regional levels.
In the Northern Territory, the Australian Government is continuing funding for Government Business Managers (GBMs). GBMs have played an important leadership role in coordinating Australian Government work at the community level and in enabling stronger local engagement in implementing government reforms. Funding of $10.0 million in 2009-10 will continue the Local Priorities Fund, enabling GBMs to quickly access flexible funds for priority community needs -- e.g. essential maintenance and repairs, upgrading fencing around childcare centres or fixing playgrounds.
As part of the National Partnership Agreement, local Indigenous Engagement Officers (IEOs) will work in the 15 priority locations in the Northern Territory as a conduit for the exchange of information between government and Indigenous communities. Funding is provided in the Budget context for 15 IEOs in other locations in the Northern Territory.
A range of leadership and capacity-building workshops will help Indigenous communities engage effectively with government, giving them the capacity and leadership ability to build a better future for their families and communities.
The Australian Government will also appoint a Coordinator-General who will have a special responsibility for the first set of priority locations under the Remote Service Delivery National Partnership. This position will strengthen government accountability ensuring effective and timely investment and service delivery.
Establishment of local boards in shires is a high priority for the Northern Territory Government. Local boards give local Indigenous people a forum to contribute their views on local issues and concerns and will be important in supporting the on-ground delivery of the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery.
Resetting the Relationship: Resetting the relationship with Indigenous people is a high priority for both the Australian and Northern Territory Governments. Sustainable change cannot be achieved unless Indigenous people are involved in deciding local solutions and driving change.
The Australian Government will contribute to a range of initiatives to facilitate a stronger engagement with Indigenous people in the Northern Territory.
The 2009-10 Commonwealth Budget committed funding for the employment of 15 Indigenous Engagement Officers (in non-COAG priority locations in the Northern Territory) to work in their local communities and provide a conduit for the exchange of information between government and Indigenous communities. Another 15 Indigenous Engagement Officers will work in the 15 priority Remote Service Delivery locations.
Community engagement workshops, leadership development workshops, and community transition programs will help Indigenous communities engage effectively with government, giving them the capacity and leadership ability to build a better future for their families and communities.
A range of Indigenous specific communications and media initiatives will promote better engagement between Indigenous peoples and the Government.
The use of IEOs, engagement workshops and targeted communication initiatives will assist in engaging with Indigenous people around the redesign of key NTER measures so they are either more clearly special measures under the RDA or non discriminatory.