Contents
- Part 1 Executive Summary
- Part 2 Performance reporting
- Part 3 Corporate governance and accountability
- Part 4 Appendices
- Part 5 Financial Management
Annual Report 2007–2008
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Annual Report 2007–2008
Annual Report 2007–2008 » Chapter 5: Outcome 1
Services and assistance that promote greater self‑reliance and engagement for Indigenous families and communities through: shared responsibility; practical support; and innovative whole‑of‑government policy.
Outcome 1 has three contributing outputs:
| Greater self‑reliance and economic, social and community engagement for Indigenous Australians | (a) 2007–08 Final estimate $’000 |
(b) 2007–08 Actual expenses $’000 |
(b) – (a) Variation $’000 |
2008–09 Budget $’000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administered expenses | ||||
| Appropriations Act 1 | 832,510 | 800,042 | –32,468 | 771,422 |
| Appropriations Act 2 | 11,187 | 11,187 | – | 389,684 |
| Special appropriations | 83,522 | 84,379 | 857 | 96,437 |
| Subtotal | 927,219 | 895,608 | –31,611 | 1,257,543 |
| Department outputs | ||||
| Appropriated revenues | 265,499 | 259,874 | –5,625 | 284,767 |
| Other non‑tax revenues | 14,334 | 21,527 | 7,193 | 13,603 |
| Subtotal | 279,833 | 281,401 | 1,568 | 298,370 |
| Total for Outcome 1 | 1,207,052 | 1,177,008 | –30,044 | 1,555,913 |
| Staffing years (including the Social Security Appeals Tribunal) |
1,136 | 1,141 | – | 1,145 |
On 13 February 2008, the Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd, MP, introduced the historic Motion of Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples. The National Apology was a major step forward in Australia’s journey of reconciliation. The motion of Apology by the Parliament apologises for the laws and policies of successive parliaments and governments, which forcibly separated Indigenous children from their families and communities.
FaHCSIA was instrumental in organising transport and accommodation for 130 members of the Stolen Generations, 24 carers and 10 counsellors to Canberra for the Apology. Over 300 members of the Stolen Generations and other VIPs witnessed this historic occasion from the galleries of the Parliament.
In the remote NT Community of Ngukurr, over 200 community members gathered to view the Apology. Chandra Sharma, FaHCSIA’s Government Business Manager for Ngukurr, assisted the Principal of the Community Education Centre, Ric Eade, to hold the event at the centre.
FaHCSIA staff took part in commemorating the National Apology, with over 200 National Office staff attending the viewing of the live broadcast at Centraplaza in Canberra. Staff in state offices and Indigenous Coordination Centres also attended viewings of the Apology.
Placing Indigenous policy and services under Outcome 1 reflects the priority and commitment of the Department to addressing Indigenous disadvantage.
The Department contributes to Outcome 1 through working at the whole‑of‑government leadership and participant levels and through Indigenous-specific and mainstream policy development, programs and services.
The major achievements contributing to Outcome 1 are summarised below.
The Department took a lead role in organising and implementing the successful Welcome to Country at the opening of the 42nd Parliament, on 12 February 2008. In a first for Federal Parliament, Aboriginal elder Matilda House gave the Welcome to Country, extending an invitation for the Parliament to hold its sessions on the land of the Ngunnawal and Walgalu peoples.
The Department also had a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the proceedings and celebrations around the historic Motion of Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, which was introduced by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd, MP, on 13 February 2008 and supported unanimously by the House of Representatives.
In 2007–08, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) committed to overcoming Indigenous disadvantage by agreeing to the following targets:
Together with a number of other government departments and state and territory governments, FaHCSIA is progressing work on a policy framework for achieving the COAG targets.
As part of its commitment to halving the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non‑Indigenous Australians within a decade, the Government announced that it would reform the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program.
The CDEP program aims to assist unemployed Indigenous Australians to develop skills and improve their work readiness to help them move into employment outside of the CDEP program and to meet community needs. The overall aim is to support Indigenous Australians to achieve economic independence.
The Government released a discussion paper entitled Increasing Indigenous Economic Opportunity in May 2008 that outlined principles for reform and sought feedback and ideas for program reforms. Almost 70 public and targeted consultation sessions were held following the release of the paper and more than 120 submissions were received.
On 21 June 2007, the former Australian Government announced the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER). The NTER is a whole‑of‑government initiative involving a range of Australian Government and Northern Territory agencies. FaHCSIA coordinates the NTER as the lead Australian Government agency for Indigenous affairs.
The NTER will be comprehended as part of the Government’s wider strategy to close the gap in life expectancy, education, health and employment outcomes between Indigenous and non‑Indigenous Australians.
The measures introduced in the Northern Territory aim to protect Indigenous children from abuse and build the foundation for stronger communities and families. They represent a major commitment of government resources and on‑the‑ground effort to address the chronic problems that have led to poor outcomes for people living in the communities and town camps of the Northern Territory.
In the first year of the NTER, there are signs of changes in communities and positive benefits for children and families as follows:
Figure 2.3 Map of the Northern Territory emergency communities
The above map is indicative only and subject to change
There are seven key measures under the NTER:
FaHCSIA is the lead agency for the NTER and is responsible for the NTER Operations Centre, which was established to coordinate and implement NTER measures. FaHCSIA also has an overarching role in the coordination of policy development, the implementation of five of the seven key measures, and ensuring timely reporting on the NTER across all government agencies.
The two key measures not managed within the FaHCSIA portfolio are enhancing education and improving child and family health. These are primarily the responsibility of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Health and Ageing respectively.
On 6 June 2008, the Government commissioned an independent review of the NTER. The review will assess which aspects of the NTER are working, whether the measures are effective, their impact to date on individuals and communities, and what may need to be changed.
The NTER Review Board has been established to conduct an independent and transparent review of the NTER. An independent expert group will support the review board. The group is comprised of experts drawn from public policy, health, child welfare, legal and economic development fields. The board will consult widely and seek public submissions. They will provide the final report to the Government on 30 September 2008.
The Indigenous Leadership and Engagement Group delivered a community engagement approach as part of the NTER, resulting in engagement and support for development, with 300 Indigenous people from 73 identified communities. This involved the delivery of engagement workshops to leaders drawn from each of the communities targeted under the NTER. Workshops were designed to provide participants with the opportunity to consider and workshop each of the NTER measures, as well as receive leadership development training to support their leadership roles in their communities.
The first phase (July–December 2007) targeted past and present participants from FaHCSIA’s Indigenous Leadership Program and included regional workshops with the chairpersons and/or members of local community councils, as well as key leaders in the targeted communities. The second phase focused on established and emerging leaders from clusters of communities within each of the proposed new Northern Territory Local Government Shires and included an additional focus on personal and community leadership.
As part of the NTER, the licensing of community stores was introduced to coincide with the decision to manage certain Centrelink income support payments to residents of prescribed communities. To ensure that income management funds could be used to encourage families to adopt a healthier lifestyle, there was a need to assess the operation of stores and license those stores which met appropriate quality standards.
The licensing initiative has evolved and grown considerably. Income Management Officers were introduced to help stores with the implementation of new processes and procedures required to administer and account for income managed funds. System upgrades were provided in many stores to allow income management funds to be reliably and more easily administered.
The overall impact of income management has been positive. Many stores have reported an increase in turnover, which has enabled them to provide customers with fresher produce and a wider range of goods. Customers are purchasing more food, including healthy food, and more money is being spent on the needs of children.
With an increased police presence and night patrols in communities, people are reporting greater community safety. Since the NTER was announced in June 2007, 51 additional police have been deployed to communities. As at June 2008, there are 33 Australian Federal Police and interstate police and 18 Northern Territory police. There is a new police presence in 18 remote Indigenous communities.
The Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program provides funding for Indigenous community organisations to deliver participation opportunities for unemployed Indigenous people. Each project is tailored to the local community’s needs and provides activities for unemployed Indigenous people to develop their skills and improve their work readiness.
On a remote farm called Scotdesco, 100 kilometres west of Ceduna, three Indigenous women are undertaking leadership roles in their community, supported by the Ceduna Indigenous Coordination Centre and funded through the CDEP program. The women are leading projects that will build life skills in their community and increase their community’s available resources.
One team’s work involves cooking twice a week for the community, establishing a community lunch program and purchasing suitable equipment for the kitchen. The team are obtaining quotes on gardening tools and are looking into the harvesting of bush foods to complement horticultural activities.
One of the women is working with Indigenous youth to organise activities such as kayaking for young people with disability. She has also been closely involved with preparations for National Youth Week.
Family-based activities are also in place and the women will be taking children and young people on school holiday camps, as well as providing after-school activities incorporating fitness and health.
As part of the original NTER package of legislation, changes were made to the permit system to allow the public to enter major communities on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory without a permit.
In the 2007 election campaign, the Government announced that it would restore the permit system for communities. On 21 February 2008, the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Emergency Response Consolidation) Bill 2008 was introduced to Parliament. The Bill includes provisions to restore the permit system. The access granted under the revised permit system to government employees is being retained. A ministerial authorisation will ensure access for journalists to communities.
On 10 October 2007, the Government signed a performance‑based funding agreement with the Western Australian Government. The agreement focuses on increasing home ownership opportunities, by increasing and enhancing infrastructure in the areas of housing management and land tenure.
The agreement incorporates funding for 10 site‑based projects in remote Western Australia, with a particular focus on the East Kimberley region. FaHCSIA will administer a total of $51.4 million in funding over the life of the agreement.
Collaborative efforts by the Australian Government to address petrol sniffing, in partnership with the Northern Territory, South Australian and Western Australian Governments, are achieving positive results. Youth diversion programs and increased policing by the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk are providing positive alternatives for young people and reducing the availability of volatile or illicit substances in Central Australia.
A survey by the Nganampa Health Council showed the prevalence of petrol sniffing across the Anangu Pitjantjatjarra Yunkatjatarra Lands has declined by more than 80 per cent since 2004. To further support these efforts, a second Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk has now been opened in Katherine.
The Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) came into effect on 1 July 2007, delivering modern corporate governance standards to some 2,600 Indigenous corporations around Australia. The Registrar administers the CATSI Act and is supported by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC).
A major achievement for ORIC was the successful implementation and completion of a new electronic document processing system—the Electronic Register of Indigenous Corporations under the CATSI Act (ERICCA). ERICCA has been under development since 2003 and will deliver more efficient registration services for clients and reduced compliance costs. A supplementary part of the database is a new online forms lodgement function. This secure web‑based lodgement system will significantly reduce the need for Indigenous corporations to lodge paper forms with ORIC.
Flexible funding supports the development and implementation of agreements with Indigenous communities. There are now 362 Shared Responsibility Agreements in place (28 of which were signed this financial year), along with 12 Regional Partnership Agreements (seven of which were signed this year).
Under the Closing the Gap agenda, the negotiation of agreements with communities now includes consideration of the COAG targets. Agreements have also drawn on Strategic Areas for Action and headline indicators identified in the Review of Government Services, Productivity Commission Report, Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage.
These Strategic Areas for Action inform the processes of negotiating agreements with Indigenous communities. This format allows for greater evidence‑based assessment of the outcomes of these agreements.
The FaHCSIA Flexible Funding Pool is part of a wider cross‑agency initiative introduced in 2006–07 to support the development and implementation of agreements in Indigenous communities.
The Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) of Indigenous Employment in Port Hedland was negotiated as part of the Australian Government Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Indigenous Employment and Enterprise Development implementation.
The MCA established a strategic partnership with the Government through the signing of a five‑year MOU that establishes a platform for government and industry to work together with Indigenous people. The aim of the partnership is to build sustainable and prosperous communities in which Indigenous people can create and take up employment and business opportunities in mining regions.
The RPA encompasses the geographic area covered by the town of Port Hedland, with partners including the Australian Government, Western Australian Government, Town of Port Hedland, BHP Billiton Iron Ore, and Indigenous Mining Services.
Achievements since the RPA signing include the following:
In the 2007–08 Budget, the former Government announced a major reform strategy to the delivery of Indigenous housing and infrastructure arrangements, aimed at addressing the housing problems experienced by Indigenous people in remote Australia. The funding for the reform strategy is $1.6 billion over the next four years, including an additional $293.6 million provided in the 2007–08 Budget.
In recognition that poor housing is a strong contributor to Indigenous disadvantage, the Government is committed to implementing enhanced arrangements to increase, improve and properly maintain Indigenous housing stock in remote Australia through the Australian Remote Indigenous Accommodation (ARIA) program. A $793 million MOU was signed between the Australian and Northern Territory Governments for Indigenous housing, accommodation and related services. Implementation of ARIA in other jurisdictions is expected to commence from 1 January 2009.
High‑level reforms to arrangements between the Australian and state and territory governments are being addressed through the COAG Housing Working Group, which incorporates Indigenous housing reforms.
Funding arrangements through Bilateral Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Agreements with state and territory governments were due to cease on 30 June 2008, but have been extended to 31 December 2008. This will enable them to better link with reform processes being developed through COAG and also to correspond with the extension of the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement.
In June 2008, the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program commenced in Kalumburu, Western Australia. This funding, provided under the Community Housing and Infrastructure Program, enabled a range of works, including: construction of a community toilet block; repair and upgrade of the community barge landing and community airstrip; and the construction of a new health clinic, funded by the Western Australian Department of Health.
Secure land tenure arrangements underpin improvements in housing and infrastructure and help facilitate economic opportunities in remote communities. There have been important developments in Indigenous land tenure reform during 2007–08.
The Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 was passed by Parliament on 23 June 2008. The Bill makes changes to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 to provide for greater flexibility in leasing Indigenous land, including allowing the term of township leases to be between 40 and 99 years, and expanding the functions of the Executive Director of Township Leasing.
The Executive Director of Township Leasing commenced operation on 1 July 2007 and holds and administers township leases granted under section 19A of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 on behalf of the Australian Government.
The first whole‑of-township lease was granted over the township of Nguiu in the Tiwi Islands on 30 August 2007.
On 20 May 2008, the traditional owners of the Groote Eylandt region agreed to enter into a lease over the townships of Angurugu, Umbakumba and Milyakburra for an initial period of 40 years, with an option to renew for an additional 40 years.
Regional and national Indigenous Leadership Program workshops attracted 668 participants—over 10 per cent more than the previous year. The Department saw a further 135 people participate in advanced leadership opportunities. In addition, as part of the Reconciliation Action Plan, a two‑day workshop was held in May 2008 for 51 mainstream Australian Public Service staff likely to be dealing with Indigenous clients.
Opportunities for direct government-to-government negotiations, supported by effective community cultural representations and interventions, led to increased interest in repatriation from overseas governments and institutions. This resulted in positive discussions and agreements with, and return of remains from, several overseas institutions, particularly in Europe.
Implementation of new community housing management arrangements in the 73 NTER communities will present many challenges. The Australian Government will engage the Northern Territory Government to act as its property manager and work with the Northern Territory Government as it adapts its mainstream public housing model to deliver housing within the new Remote Public Housing Management Framework.
The remoteness of many communities, as well as limited access during the wet season, presented significant challenges to the rollout of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER).
Under the former Government, the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program was to be phased out in the Northern Territory as part of the NTER. In December 2007, the Government announced a moratorium on this process.
By this time, 16 CDEP program providers and over 2,000 participants had transitioned off the CDEP program. In April 2008, the Government announced that the CDEP program would be made available from 1 July 2008 in those locations where it has been phased out prior to the moratorium. This was announced as an interim measure pending reforms to the CDEP program.
An ongoing challenge associated with the NTER is assisting community stores to meet the management and food quality standards required to receive licensing. In 2007–08, the licensing arrangements were implemented successfully in many stores, which are now reporting an increase in turnover as a result of the new income management processes.
In response to the increasing demand for leadership development, operational changes have been made to extend the program’s reach within available resources. Leadership development underpins many other initiatives to improve self‑reliance and engagement and is critical to involving grassroots Indigenous people in policy development. In 2007–08, the role was extended through community engagement workshops that work in conjunction with the NTER.
Following approaches to a number of overseas countries in the first six months of 2007–08, including face‑to-face meetings, there has been a greater demand on resources due to increased interest in repatriation from overseas institutions.
There has been an increased focus on reconciliation and the Stolen Generations since the National Apology on 13 February 2008. The Department developed and endorsed a FaHCSIA Reconciliation Action Plan for 2007–08 that placed on the public record our strong commitment and actions to progress reconciliation. It covered 29 items that highlighted key activities and initiatives across the Department in the areas of whole‑of‑government leadership; programs and services; managing client and stakeholder relationships; and internal organisational processes. In May 2008, the Department reported on progress on each of these items.
The Department provides secretariat support to the COAG Working Group on Indigenous Reform (WGIR), and plays a key role in whole‑of‑government coordination and collaboration in policy development and service delivery in Indigenous affairs. COAG has asked the WGIR to develop reform proposals on Indigenous early childhood development, safety from violence for Indigenous parents and children, remote service delivery and workforce planning, and economic participation and active welfare.
FaHCSIA provided secretariat support to the Ministerial Taskforce on Indigenous Affairs, which set the national policy and priorities for Indigenous affairs prior to the announcement of the 2007 election.
The Department contributed to the Secretaries’ Group on Indigenous Affairs, which assisted the Ministerial Taskforce to implement its priorities until the announcement of the 2007 election. The Secretaries’ Group now supports the Indigenous Affairs Committee of Cabinet in its role in providing strategic direction and in coordinating the delivery of Indigenous programs.
FaHCSIA provided secretariat support to the National Indigenous Council (to the end of their term—30 December 2007), which was appointed to advise the Ministerial Taskforce on Indigenous Affairs. The SES Taskforce on Indigenous Affairs brings together senior executives with key Indigenous affairs responsibilities from across the Government, and advises the Secretaries’ Group on Indigenous Affairs. The Department provided secretariat support to the SES Taskforce in 2007–08.
In mid-2006, the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government signed a bilateral agreement on Indigenous affairs. The agreement provides for these governments to work collaboratively and increase effort through six key outcome areas: law and order and safe places for people; skills, jobs and opportunities; healthy and strong people; sustainable environmental health and infrastructure; land, sea and culture; and strong leadership and governance.
The Australian Government network of 30 Indigenous Coordination Centres (ICCs) across Australia, managed by FaHCSIA, is a key mechanism to facilitate cooperative working arrangements with non‑government organisations, the private sector, Indigenous communities, and for engaging other local, state, territory and Australian Government agencies.
Under the Indigenous Communities Strategic Investment (ICSI) program, ICC staff work with Indigenous communities to identify priorities and local issues, and to bring together stakeholders in the development of agreements with communities. ICC staff also contribute to other strategic initiatives and agreements, with the aim of improving service delivery to Indigenous Australians.
SRAs and RPAs are supported through funding under the ICSI program. Proposals are tailored solutions to meet Indigenous community needs and promote capacity strengthening, improved negotiation and agreement-making skills as well as leveraging government, corporate and philanthropic contributions.
The process of negotiating agreements, and jointly striving towards locally identified priorities, acts as a catalyst for Indigenous communities to identify further areas for improvement and work with the Government towards a shared goal.
A number of FaHCSIA programs and initiatives help build functional and resilient Indigenous individuals, families, and communities.
The Indigenous Leadership Program assists Indigenous women, men and youth to gain the skills and confidence they need in order to take action on issues they, their families and communities face.
The Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program assists unemployed Indigenous Australians by providing subsidised employment to help improve their working skills, and aims to transition them into the workforce. Families and communities also benefit from this program through the completion of a number of different projects and economic activity stimulated through CDEP funding.
The Indigenous Leadership Program strengthens and increases the leadership capacity of Indigenous men, women and youth, providing workshop participants with the skills to take stronger leadership roles in their families, organisations, workplaces and communities.
The community engagement approach promotes understanding of government plans and their implementation among Indigenous communities affected by the NTER.
To further strengthen Indigenous leadership outcomes, FaHCSIA has partnered with Courage Partners to develop a monitoring and evaluation strategy for the program. It will enable reporting of program outcomes that meet the Department of Finance and Deregulation and FaHCSIA’s reporting standards. It will also help to create an evidence base from which informed decisions can be made towards enhanced program planning and service delivery.
In 2008–09, the Department will continue to give high priority to having the necessary arrangements in place to commence the Australian Remote Indigenous Accommodation program from 1 January 2009.
The Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program aims to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians through providing living conditions that will result in better health and safety for families and children.
The Petrol Sniffing Strategy continues to be implemented. The strategy aims to reduce the incidence of petrol sniffing in the four Petrol Sniffing Declared Zones—Central Australian Tri-State Zone, Central Australian Expanded Zone (Northern Territory) East Kimberley (Western Australian), and Mornington/Doomagee (Qld).
The NTER Youth Alcohol Diversion measure is being implemented to provide positive alternatives to alcohol and other substance use for young people in the Northern Territory. It includes the construction or upgrading of recreational infrastructure in over 40 communities; the running of over 30 recreation, sports, arts and culture youth events, including school holiday programs; and supporting community developed youth activities.
Improving Policing in Very Remote Areas is part of the July 2006 COAG Package to address violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities. Planning and/or construction has commenced on 13 new police facilities across Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Two sniffer dog teams are in operation, one based in Darwin and the second at the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk in Alice Springs.
FaHCSIA has an ambitious reform agenda that governments are focusing on through the COAG Working Group process. The expectation is that state and territory governments will provide housing, infrastructure and municipal services for Indigenous people in urban and regional Australia. It is also proposed that the management of Indigenous housing will be delivered through a public housing model or an equivalent level of tenancy management.
Within FaHCSIA, the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination undertakes research that supports evidence‑based policy on cross‑cutting issues of significance from a whole‑of‑government perspective.
FaHCSIA is an industry partner to a whole‑of‑government Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant for a project led by the University of Canberra on evaluating frameworks for integrating policy development and the implementation and delivery of public services. This project analyses the Australian experience with whole‑of‑government initiatives to determine which forms of cross‑boundary coordination work are most effective and in what circumstances. The findings will be used to develop a theoretical framework, as well as best practice guidelines to promote effective and efficient governance.
FaHCSIA is also an industry partner, with Rio Tinto and the University of Melbourne, to the ARC Linkage Grant for the Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements Project. This project researches Indigenous participation, entrepreneurship and economic engagement in the development of sustainable communities, with a particular focus on governance arrangements, taxation and the legal frameworks in which agreement-making and implementation takes place. FaHCSIA provides funding to the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre to enhance the contribution of long‑term scientific and technological research and innovation to Australia’s sustainable economic and social development.
Native Title Representative Bodies are Indigenous organisations, recognised by the Minister, to perform statutory native title functions for native title holders and claimants. They are funded by FaHCSIA to perform these statutory functions which are set out in the Native Title Act 1993.
As at 1 July 2007, there were 13 Native Title Representative Bodies. Their initial recognition periods, under the system of limited recognition, which came into effect on that date, varied from one to six years. There were also four native title service providers funded by FaHCSIA to perform equivalent functions in areas where no Native Title Representative Body exists. Fixed term recognition periods were introduced for all Native Title Representative Bodies and multi‑year funding was offered to seven Native Title Representative Bodies from 2007–08.
To promote the efficient performance of native title functions, three Native Title Representative Bodies in Queensland were given recognition periods of one year only, to 30 June 2008. This reduces the number of providers of native title services in Queensland from seven (out of 17 nationally) to five. The effectiveness of services provided in the affected regions should be considerably enhanced under the new arrangements.
In South Australia, the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement decided to relinquish its long-standing status as a Native Title Representative Body from 30 June 2008. South Australian Native Title Services will be funded by FaHCSIA as a native title service provider under s203FE of the Native Title Act 1993 from 1 July 2008 to act for claimants and native title holders.
Prescribed Bodies Corporate are organisations established where native title has been determined, to protect and manage native title in accordance with the wishes of the native title holders. In 2007–08, nine NativeTitle Prescribed Bodies Corporate received funding under the Native Title Program for the first time.
Highlights in the area of International Repatriation for 2007–08 include: agreements and positive discussions with a number of overseas institutions, where there had previously been a reluctance to repatriate remains; improved collaboration with Indigenous communities, which has resulted in repatriated remains and scheduled repatriations from overseas institutions; and agreements and significant progress towards agreements with most institutions in the United Kingdom. During the year, 17 remains were returned to Australia from four institutions.
The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, announced several key priorities to strengthen corporations and assist in building stronger communities. An ongoing priority in 2007–08 was improving the overall reputation and credibility of Indigenous corporations by increasing their level of reporting compliance.
In May 2008, as part of its compliance project, the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) ran a media campaign in regional newspapers listing corporations in each area that were in breach of their reporting obligations under the CATSI Act.
This compliance project was very successful and resulted in a 60 per cent compliance rate, exceeding the anticipated rate of 55 per cent and previous levels of compliance.
ORIC focuses on building the capacity of Indigenous corporations through training, education and assistance. ORIC directly delivered over 200 days of training to corporations, predominately in remote locations, as well as further training through partnership arrangements.
Sixty formal examinations of Indigenous corporations were undertaken by ORIC in 2007–08 to assess their governance. At varying times throughout the year, up to 20 corporations were under special administration managed by ORIC. ORIC also provided assistance with disputes and advice.
Between 2007–08 and 2009–10, $198 million has been made available to support CDEP conversions to real jobs, in services delivered by the Attorney‑General’s Department; the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations; the Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts; the Department of Health and Ageing; FaHCSIA; and the Northern Territory Government.
On 30 April 2008, the Government announced its timetable for Indigenous employment reforms. At that time, it was announced as an interim measure that the Government would restore CDEP from 1 July 2008 in the 25 prescribed Northern Territory communities and five town camp regions where CDEP was being phased out.
While CDEP is being restored, the process of converting CDEP positions into government service delivery jobs has been continuing. By 30 June 2008, 1312 jobs had been created—1,159 Australian Government funded positions and 153 jobs in territory and local government services.
Centrelink access sites help to provide Indigenous families and communities with access to Centrelink’s services in rural and remote Australia. The Government will provide $3.1 million through this measure to continue funding 50 sites.
The aim of research into the social and economic circumstances of Indigenous people is to provide FaHCSIA with a deeper understanding of a broad range of Indigenous issues, and to contribute to the development of new policies.
Research projects commenced in 2007–08 as part of this program included:
The Cape York Digital Network (CYDN) is a service arm of Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation. CYDN is a technological service which establishes information and communication centres throughout Cape York Communities to promote economic, social and employment development. CYDN provides services including IT support, internet and telecommunications. Their objective is to provide support for users and build communications capacity in communities. Individuals and families can utilise services including computers, internet, and video conferencing, as well as supporting homework centres in some communities.
The project was reviewed in September 2007 as per the terms of the four‑year funding agreement. FaHCSIA’s operational funding contribution includes salaries for community‑based officers, repairs and maintenance, meetings and travel expenses. CYDN generates revenue through a commercial fee for service and the provision of telecommunications in six regional hubs throughout Cape York. Communities that have commercial arrangements with CYDN include Napranum, Hope Vale, Coen, Weipa, Umagico and Mapoon.
The removal of Remote Area Exemptions (RAEs) improves the skills of job seekers by increasing their participation in work preparation activities in remote communities so that they are better equipped to apply for and win local jobs.
As at 30 June 2008, RAEs have been removed in 217 communities and 861 associated outstations across Australia. This includes 86 communities and 654 outstations in the Northern Territory and covers all prescribed communities and outstations that are part of the NTER.
The removal of RAEs led to collaboration between numerous stakeholders, including the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Centrelink, employment service providers (including Structured Training and Employment Project employment‑related service providers) and affected communities and individuals. This coordinated approach is essential in bringing about generational change and creating sustainable participation outcomes. As a result, many job seekers are now engaged with employment services for the first time, enabling them to be better placed to apply for jobs in their local community.
In 2007–08, the Department worked on the development and implementation of income management as part of the NTER.
The NTER has introduced compulsory income management of income support and family payments for people in prescribed areas. Income management directs 50 per cent of certain welfare and family payments to agreed priority expenses such as food, utilities and clothing. Income management is intended to ensure that payments meant to benefit children are used for the benefit of children and are not directed towards harmful behaviours.
Income management is applied as a whole‑of-community response and affects all community members receiving a relevant welfare payment. It is introduced on a community-by-community basis.
The Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program will have a strong focus on local Indigenous employment and training in the Northern Territory. There will be opportunities for Indigenous people to undertake accredited training, as well as employment on large construction projects. The program also includes significant community consultation and supports innovation in design and construction. Each targeted community will be consulted throughout the project to identify their individual needs and develop solutions to provide appropriate housing and related services.
This measure provided $12.1 million over four years to collect longitudinal data on the development of 2,200 Indigenous children in 11 selected urban, regional and rural locations. Using this targeted approach, the study will follow the development and health outcomes of babies and four to five year-olds by interviewing the children, where applicable, and their families and carers each year for the next four years.
The construction of a 120-bed boarding facility in Weipa, northern Queensland, and the expansion of 30 places to the existing Wiltja residence in Adelaide, South Australia, have been agreed under the Indigenous Boarding Hostels Partnership initiative. These facilities will support Indigenous secondary students from remote communities who wish to access education in regional and urban areas. This measure applies to Outcomes 1 and 2.
The Government-announced savings will be achieved from efficiencies identified in Centrelink, as well as Medicare Australia and the Child Support Agency. Further details can be found in the FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements 2008–09.
Bowraville is a small country town on the mid‑north coast of NSW that has the second largest Indigenous population in NSW. The town faces significant social issues, including high unemployment, family violence, crime and substance abuse. In response to these issues, and following a consultation process involving community meetings and surveys, the community developed a Community Strategic Plan.
As various levels of government have an important role to play in the plan’s implementation, Bowraville has entered into a comprehensive Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA) with the Australian and NSW Governments. FaHCSIA, as an Australian Government partner in this process, will have a significant role in helping the community to access appropriate government resources.
The two key improvements the agreement seeks to achieve are a safer community and increased school attendance. The agreement has a steering committee that will assess feedback from the community facilitators on the progress made toward meeting these goals.
Developed during 2008, the SRA provides a framework that will coordinate Australian Government services and resources through the Coffs Harbour Indigenous Coordination Centre and NSW State Government. It will follow both the Council of Australian Governments’ endorsed principles for Indigenous service delivery and the NSW Government’s Two Ways Together Plan, which sets out how the state government plans to improve the lives of Aboriginal people and their communities through to 2012.
FaHCSIA entered into a $6 million three‑year agreement with Aboriginal Employment Strategy, a not-for-profit organisation that leverages corporate and philanthropic support for placing and mentoring Aboriginal people into employment. The agreement comprises practical reconciliation activities, an Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurial Program and an Ambassador Program. These components focus on increasing awareness and changing attitudes through employment and training opportunities, increasing the number of Aboriginal people in non‑traditional roles, introducing Aboriginal students to work experience and traineeships and reducing anti‑social behaviour and crime and violence.
Through Supplementary Estimates, the Department received $40.625 million to implement income management in the Northern Territory. Centrelink delivers income management services to people in prescribed areas of the Northern Territory and received $37.060 million from the total appropriation to perform this role. Centrelink conducts community information sessions, interviews people to establish regular payment deductions for priority needs and provides follow‑up servicing to ensure people continue to access their income managed funds. Administered funding of $1,178 million was provided for community stores licensing assessment activities, to ensure community stores operating income management accounts met quality and administrative standards. Departmental funding of $2.388 million allowed for the coordination and implementation of income management and community stores licensing policy.
These funds were provided for connection research on Native Title claims in the Pilbara region that cover areas in which Rio Tinto have a mining interest. Most of the funds were expended by the Yamatji Marlpa Barna Baba Maaja Aboriginal Corporation (Yamatji) this financial year, with the balance carried forward to 2008–09 for completion of the project. Without the additional funding provided to Yamatji for the connection research, it would have taken up to 10 years to complete the work from ongoing funding levels.
The Department implemented the Government’s commitments to a National Apology and a national Indigenous representative body by undertaking consultations with Indigenous people, and through broader community activities designed to promote and advance reconciliation among all Australians.
The projects were funded through existing allocations—the Indigenous Communities Strategic Investment Fund and the Indigenous Leadership Program.
The Cape York Welfare Reform trials commenced on 1 July 2008. The trials are a partnership between the Australian and Queensland Governments, the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership and the four communities of Aurukun, Hope Vale, Coen and Mossman Gorge.
During 2007–08, FaHCSIA took the lead role in ensuring that the Government’s contribution to the trials was ready for implementation from 1 July 2008. This has included legislative amendments, securing staff and financial resources, establishing governance arrangements and monitoring progress, stakeholder management, policy development and implementation planning.
Welfare reform in Cape York is a process of moving away from passive welfare dependence towards engagement in the real economy. The basic premise of the trials is that four things must occur: rebuilding of social norms, reform of incentives, normalisation of housing and a retreat of government from the domain of individual responsibility.
The measures included in the trials consist of activities across the four reform areas, including:
This measure applies to Outcomes 1, 2 and 4.
National Reconciliation Week is an important time. It allows Indigenous and non‑Indigenous Australians to focus on the issue of reconciliation, reflect on the past, and embrace the future of a united nation. Events celebrating Reconciliation Week 2008 were held from 27 May until 3 June.
To mark the occasion, FaHCSIA National Office staff participated in an Indigenous reconciliation workshop. A dance troupe, which included FaHCSIA staff, performed a number of dances illustrating aspects of life in the Torres Strait. Louise Brown, a local Ngunnawal elder, opened the workshop with a Welcome to Country.
Staff then took part in discussions with the Indigenous Leadership and Engagement Group. They were asked to consider the importance of reconciliation, and to think about what they could do to strengthen reconciliation between Indigenous and non‑Indigenous Australians. Participants in the workshop took away a better understanding of reconciliation and what it means for them on a practical level.
On 11 July 2007, the ‘Women Artwork’ was unveiled in Reconciliation Place.
The ‘Women Artwork’ celebrates the contribution of Lady Jessie Street, Dr Evelyn Scott, AO and Dr Faith Bandler AM to reconciliation.
The artwork serves to remind us of the determination of these women and their collective contribution to Reconciliation in Australia—in particular their roles in the 1967 Referendum.
‘Women Artwork’
Designers: Belinda Smith, Rob Tindal. Graphic Designer: Jennifer Marchant.
A research and evaluation plan for whole‑of‑government activities in Indigenous affairs for 2007–10 is available on the Department’s website at: www.fahcsia.gov.au.
It outlines research and evaluation activities to be undertaken by the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OIPC) Group. The plan was prepared in consultation with Australian Government agencies, as represented in the Secretaries’ Group on Indigenous Affairs. Research and evaluation will inform whole‑of‑government Indigenous policy and its implementation.
Key evaluations progressed and/or completed in 2007–08 include the following:
In May 2001, Australian and State and Territory Housing Ministers endorsed a 10‑year statement of future directions for Indigenous housing, Building a Better Future: Indigenous Housing to 2010 (BBF). The BBF affirms the Housing Ministers’ commitment to improving housing and environmental health outcomes for Indigenous Australians. The BBF statement recognises that Indigenous housing is a major national issue requiring priority action.
A mid‑term review of the BBF was undertaken in 2005–06. Following the completion of the review, the July 2007 meeting of the Housing Ministers’ Conference (HMC) supported the findings of the review and affirmed a revised BBF Statement. The HMC has reaffirmed the directions and strategic intent of the BBF Statement.
The 2007 Review of Indigenous Coordination Centres (ICCs) showed that the ICC model is effective in providing the community‑level relationships and instruments for the delivery of many of the Government’s Indigenous programs. Continuous business improvement is implicit in the model, which focuses on developing flexible funding solutions through a range of strategic interventions and better information sharing between stakeholders.
In July 2007, Morgan Disney and Associates completed the Implementation Review of Shared Responsibility Agreements: Don’t let’s lose another good idea, available on the FaHCSIA website.
The review was based on an analysis of 80 individual SRA reviews and a sample of three ICCs implementing SRAs. It investigated ways in which the negotiation and development of SRAs could be improved.
In early 2007, FaHCSIA commissioned SGS Economics and Planning Pty Ltd to evaluate the Communities in Crisis initiative. The evaluation covered a sample of communities where intensive work had already been undertaken, including Balgo, Beagle Bay, Kalumburu and Yalata. The evaluation looked at what was working well and what could be improved at each site and noted that interventions were tailored to individual community needs.
The evaluation found that, for communities experiencing crisis, a holistic response by government and other stakeholders is needed, as well as ongoing support after the community moves out of crisis.
An evaluation approach for the Petrol Sniffing Strategy (PSS) was developed in late 2007. The first two components of this are underway. It includes an independent review of the first phase of the PSS. The review was concluded in early 2008 and examines the first 12 months of the PSS.
The second initiative under the evaluation approach is the development of the PSS Evaluation Framework. The framework will provide a structure for PSS evaluation activities within FaHCSIA and across agencies.
Baseline Community Profiles (BCPs) are a critical part of the evaluation approach for whole‑of‑government initiatives in Indigenous communities. The Department is working in partnership with state and territory governments and local communities to establish BCPs in selected sites.
The BCPs give a comprehensive snapshot of a community at a point in time, using both quantitative and qualitative data. This forms a basis for subsequent monitoring and evaluation of interventions and programs provided in the community. The profiles are also a tool for Indigenous communities to use as part of their planning. There are BCPs for Beagle Bay, Balgo, Kalumburu, Yalata and Galiwin’ku. BCPs under development include Mornington Island, Nguiu, Palm Island, Oombulgurri, Wyndham, Ringers Soak (Kundat Djaru), Bililuna (Mindibungu), Warmun (Turkey Creek), Kununurra, Halls Creek and Mulan and Groote Eylandt.
The Australia 2020 Summit was intended as a genuinely inclusive, national conversation to generate new and informed ideas about our long‑term challenges.
FaHCSIA staff assisted with the administrative processes relating to participation in the options for the future of Indigenous Australians stream and the strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion stream of the summit.
Fifteen people volunteered to be scribes for the future of Indigenous Australia stream. Ten were employees of the Department (including the lead scribe at the SES Band 2 level). Three volunteers were officers of the Treasury, Centrelink and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet while the remaining two acted as facilitators.
The Indigenous stream received 705 submissions from the public. The most constant theme amongst the submissions was the need for greater understanding between Indigenous and non‑Indigenous Australians. In particular, many submissions stated that more should be done to promote awareness and understanding of Indigenous culture and history within mainstream Australian society.
The importance of increasing and improving educational and employment opportunities was also extensively discussed. A large number of submissions also called for ‘real’ consultation with Indigenous Australians on the issues affecting their lives.
19 April 2008—Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon. Jenny Macklin, MP, speaking at the Options for the Future of Indigenous Australia Stream at the Australia 2020 Summit, held in Parliament House in Canberra.