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Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

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Budget 2008-09 > Indigenous Budget Fact Sheets > Closing the Gap for Indigenous Australians - Northern Territory - Youth alcohol diversion

Closing the Gap for Indigenous Australians - Northern Territory - Youth alcohol diversion

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILIES, HOUSING, COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS (FaHCSIA)

Key Elements

The Australian Government has committed $9.5 million in 2008-09 to fund the Alcohol Diversionary Activities package. This measure will provide a range of diversionary activities directed at young people aged 12 to 18 years to address alcohol and substance abuse in remote Northern Territory Indigenous communities.

Background

The package is designed to offer a range of safe and healthy activities as an alternative to drinking and other forms of substance use. It aims to build the capacity of youth diversionary activities in the Northern Territory, and to provide support for attendance at school and pathways to training and employment.

These activities are part of a broader range of measures that have been identified as necessary to assist children and their families in communities that have been surveyed as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER).

Implementation

This measure will fund the continuation of the Northern Territory Youth Development Network. This network will increase the quality and quantity of diversionary activities for young people in the West Arnhem and Daly River Regions. The measure will also provide infrastructure and youth programs in Central Desert communities that are currently not serviced by existing Australian Government youth substance abuse initiatives. Contracted non government organisations will deliver the services to maximise the reach and effectiveness of the program.

Total Government Funding

The Australian Government has committed total funds of $9.5 million in 2008-2009. Further activity will be informed by the outcomes of the NTER review later this year.