Page 880 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 22 March 2017
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MS FITZHARRIS: We certainly have discussed in this chamber the significant impact from both the storm event that we had in January as well as the significant rainfall we received throughout the end of winter and autumn last year. That did have an impact on some of the city services. But I remind all members that every year Transport Canberra and City Services receive significantly high ratings from the survey it undertakes each year to inform the annual report. Those issues were discussed recently in the annual reports hearings.
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders—unemployment
MR MILLIGAN: My question is to the Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations. Minister, the recent closing the gap report showed that Indigenous unemployment is almost double that of non-Indigenous Canberrans: 8.4 per cent compared to 4.4. Minister, what is being done to support unemployed Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders to get them into the workforce?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Milligan for the question. Of course, as a general proposition, employment services and employment support are matters for the commonwealth government. However, the ACT government—
Opposition members interjecting—
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: The ACT public service is taking numerous steps, which we talked about in our annual report hearings. I am not sure if I have the details in front of me, but the ACT public service is certainly taking a lot of steps to improve the employment opportunities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT public service. That includes traineeship and graduate programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate in the public service.
On the broader question of employment support, I will take it on notice to see whether there is any more information that I can provide to Mr Milligan.
MR MILLIGAN: What efforts are being made to offer customised training for individuals to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers are job ready?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: This question goes specifically to the training portfolio. Again I know that CIT, for example, has the Yurauna Centre. So it specifically supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at CIT through the Yurauna Centre. I know that it works with Northside to provide support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at CIT who need childcare support. It provides a range of other support services to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at CIT are able to succeed at at least the same rate as other students at CIT.
MR WALL: Minister, what efforts are being made by the ACT government to eliminate barriers preventing Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders entering gainful employment in the ACT, including cross-cultural training?
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