The Federal Government says jobs for Indigenous Australians will not be
put at risk by changes it is planning to make to a key employment program.
Employment Minister Kevin Andrews has revealed that a review by his
department has found that a number of Indigenous communities believe
they should be getting better results from the Community Development
Economic Program (CDEP).
The program involves around 240 Indigenous organisations and has
provided 37,000 jobs to Aboriginal Australians.
Mr Andrews has told Parliament changes will occur next financial year to
ensure the needs of Indigenous communities are better met.
"The Government is committed to maintaining its funding for CDEP work of
this kind, it is valuable work," he said.
"It has clear benefit to local communities, in fact it's an essential
source of work for so many people in Indigenous communities.
"We are committed to maintaining and improving CDEP work for Indigenous
Australians but we won't be putting jobs at risk." |
