In December, 2009, the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) formed a group to provide advice on the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program.
The CDEP Consultative Group (CCG) provides advice on operational improvements to the program, with a particular focus on the delivery of effective and innovative Work Readiness and Community Development Projects.
It also provides an important forum for sharing information about successful approaches to service delivery in remote Indigenous communities.
The 14 current CCG members are:
- Mr Alex Barker
Director, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, Far North Queensland - Mr Ron Bradfield
General Manager, Yulella Incorporated, Meekatharra region, Western Australia - Ms Janet Brown
Chief Executive Officer, Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation, Pilbara region, Western Australia - Mr Adrian Donovan
Chief Executive Officer, Midwest Aboriginal Empoyment & Economic Development Incorporated, Western Australia - Mr Michael Haynes
Chief Executive Officer, Tjutjunaku Worka Tjuta Incorporated, South Australia - Ms Suzanah Kuzio
Chief Executive Officer, Community Enterprises Australia Ltd, Far North Queensland, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, East Kimberley Western Australia and Torres Strait - Mr Robert Larking
Community Manager, Scotdesco Aboriginal Corporation, Ceduna region, South Australia - Ms Sharon MacKenzie
Director CDEP APY Lands, Bungala Aboriginal Corporation, South Australia - Mr Chris Martin
Chief Executive Officer, Cairns Regional Community Development and Employment ATSI Corporation, Queensland - Mr Royston Prasad
General Manager CDEP, Mount Isa Skills Incorporated, Queensland - Mr Simon Rodgers
Northern Queensland Regional Manager, Jobfind Centres Australia, Far North Queensland and Wadeye community Northern Territory - Mr John Thain
Managing Director, Emu Services, Carnarvon and Shark Bay region, Western Australia - Mr John Vos
Chief Executive Officer, East Kimberley CDEP Pty Ltd, Western Australia - Ms Janelle Whitehead
Chief Executive Officer, Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprises Corporation, Far Western New South Wales
The first meeting of the 2012 Consultative Group was held on 9 – 11 May 2012 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Chair of the CCG is the FAHCSIA Group Manager of the Indigenous Delivery Group.
Background
The CCG is an important forum that provides valuable information to the Department and contributes to better practice and operational adjustments for the CDEP program.
CCG members were refreshed through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process open to all CDEP senior staff. Applications were of a high calibre.
Applicants were assessed against their responses to selection criteria.
Membership selection reflected the diversity of issues affecting CDEP participants including:
- gender balance
- geographical coverage
- remote to very remote service delivery locations
- professional experience
2012/13
2011/12
2009/10