Page 4739 - Week 15 - Thursday, 16 December 1993
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As you will recall, Madam Speaker, last year the Government set aside $2.5m of the casino premium for the development of a keeping place and cultural centre and announced its intention to seek advice from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council. I am pleased to advise the Assembly that the advisory council has consulted and continues to consult widely with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the ACT in relation to this matter. The council believes that it is of the utmost importance that the communities be involved in meaningful consultation about the implementation of such a significant initiative. Accordingly, the council has sought to involve as many members of the community as possible by adapting its methods of consultation to suit the particular needs of the different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the ACT. I am confident that the council's dedication to this task and the commitment to their peoples which it demonstrates will result in the establishment of facilities which truly meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Earlier this year the Department of Education and Training established a departmental advisory committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, consisting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents, students and community members as well as departmental representatives and Aboriginal education workers. The committee provides a point of reference to the development and review of policy and curriculum. Working parties have been established to provide policy advice on specific issues, and public consultation is currently under way on the development of anti-racism policy. A number of Aboriginal language projects are currently being piloted. These projects involve conducting research into Aboriginal languages and including the languages in the language programs of two primary schools.
Madam Speaker, it is unfortunately a fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience disadvantage. I am pleased to note that a number of initiatives introduced this year are aimed at redressing this. Over the past year the ACT Government has been involved in the national Aboriginal health strategy. A joint Commonwealth-ACT funding package was announced in recognition of the need for action in the areas of health and housing for people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. The package included funding for a coordinator for the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, an Aboriginal drug and alcohol worker, an Aboriginal mental health worker, an Aboriginal hospital liaison worker, training for mainstream health workers and the promotion of immunisation services. Under this strategy the Government is also committed to jointly fund an Aboriginal emergency accommodation project to ensure the adequate provision of housing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Earlier this year I announced, as part of the 1993-94 ACT budget, funding for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment initiative and an equity training allowance. These programs are aimed at increasing the opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate in employment programs. The ongoing implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody by ACT government agencies is aimed at redressing the many aspects of disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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