Resetting the Relationship with Indigenous Australians
The Australian Government's bold reform agenda in Indigenous affairs is underpinned by our determination to forge a new relationship with Indigenous Australians based on trust and respect.
These measures build on the National Apology to Indigenous Australians, in particular the Stolen Generations, and the Australian Government's statement of support for the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They build on our commitment to move to a sustainable development phase in the Northern Territory and introduce legislation to lift the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country, there are courageous voices for change. There are people prepared to take on the responsibility of leadership.
In turn, it is the responsibility of governments to back them — recognising that business as usual is no longer a viable policy response for government.
Our partnership with Indigenous peoples will be respectful and collaborative as well as allowing an open and frank exchange of views.
We want Indigenous people to work with us with confidence and with the knowledge that their cultures and perspectives are respected as a source of strength, and not perceived as a barrier to change.
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
On 3 April this year the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs made a statement on behalf of the Australian Government in support of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration was more than 20 years in the making within the UN system. Many distinguished Indigenous Australians contributed to its development.
The Declaration reflects and pays homage to the unique place of Indigenous peoples and their entitlement to all human rights as recognised in international law. While it is not legally binding in itself, it sets important international principles for nations to aspire to.
In supporting the Declaration, this Government took another important step in respecting Indigenous rights and resetting the relationship. It gives us new impetus to work together in trust and good faith.
Budget initiatives: Healing and the Stolen Generations
The Budget continues the Australian Government's commitment to healing, counselling and family reunion services for the estimated 20,000 to 30,000 Stolen Generations survivors in Australia.
To strengthen the Link-Up services that work to unite families separated by past government policies, the Australian Government will provide $13.8 million over three years. The funding will provide additional case workers and administrative support, and enable up to 140 'Return to Country' or institutional reunions. This measure complements the additional $15.7 million over four years provided for Bringing Them Home counsellors and Link-Up services in the 2007‑08 Budget.
A major initiative in this Budget is the establishment of a Healing Foundation to broaden support to the Stolen Generations and address trauma and healing in the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The Foundation will be an Indigenous-controlled non-government organisation that will receive $26.6 million over four years.
The Foundation will provide grant funding for healing initiatives at the community and grass-roots levels. International experience shows that more collective healing processes can help to restore the social and emotional health of individuals and communities.
The Australian Government has appointed Stolen Generations Elder May O'Brien and academic expert, Mr Gregory Phillips, to lead a team that will consult and develop a framework for the Foundation by the end of 2009.
Budget initiative: Operational funding for Reconciliation Australia
The Australian Government is providing $10.8 million from 1 July 2010 for core operational costs to Reconciliation Australia. This funding provides security for Reconciliation Australia's continuing operations over the three years to 30 June 2013. Reconciliation Australia also works to attract substantial corporate and philanthropic investment for its projects.
Reconciliation Australia encourages groundbreaking new relationships at the corporate, school, organisational and individual levels as well as promoting awareness of Indigenous issues. This funding supports Reconciliation Australia to build on the success of its Reconciliation Action Plan program.
National Indigenous Representative Body
The Australian Government is committed to establishing a National Indigenous Representative Body to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a voice in national affairs and policy development. This commitment acknowledges that Indigenous people are a small minority within our nation with special interests and a need to provide input to decisions affecting these interests.
The Representative Body will be another means of resetting the relationship and enabling a collaborative approach to improving outcomes for Indigenous people.
An initial public consultation phase on a National Indigenous Representative Body was conducted from July to December 2008. More than 2,000 Indigenous people put their ideas forward through meetings and written submissions.
In December 2008, the Australian Government agreed to extend the consultations in response to feedback from communities. At the Government's request, Mr Tom Calma, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, convened an independent steering committee to assist in the second phase of consultations.
As part of the extended consultation process, a national workshop attended by approximately 100 Indigenous people from across Australia was held in Adelaide on 11-13 March 2009.
Mr Calma will provide a report outlining recommendations for a National Indigenous Representative Body to the Australian Government by the end of July 2009.
Budget initiative: Electoral Participation Program
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms Indigenous rights to be involved in the democratic process. The Australian Government wants all eligible Australians to participate fully and freely in our national political life.
Many Indigenous people have not been exercising their democratic rights due to isolation or lack of knowledge. The Budget provides $13.0 million over four years to the Australian Electoral Commission for an Indigenous Electoral Participation Program, aimed at increasing levels of enrolment, voter turnout and formal voting in urban, regional and remote areas.
The program will proceed on a consultative basis with outreach to communities to determine the most appropriate education and enrolment activities for each locality. Field staff and local Indigenous liaison agents will be engaged to build partnerships with Indigenous people and organisations.
Moving towards a sustainable development phase in the Northern Territory
In continuing our work in the Northern Territory we know that we must better engage Indigenous people in developing and driving solutions.
If the improvements achieved in the Northern Territory are to be sustained, we know we must foster local leadership and encourage greater personal and community responsibility.
In this Budget we are investing in community engagement and development so that Indigenous people are better equipped to work with government in dealing with the challenging and confronting issues still facing the Northern Territory's Indigenous communities and town camps.
We are about to embark on a formal community engagement process about those measures affected by the former Government's suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. We will be consulting on income management and the restrictions on alcohol and prohibited material, prior to the introduction of legislation lifting the suspension of the Act.
As part of our commitment to move from compulsory five year leases over Aboriginal townships in the Northern Territory, we are already talking to Traditional Owners about long-term leases which will provide the basis for better housing and services. Agreements have already been reached in relation to housing areas at Wadeye, Galiwin'ku, Gunbalanya and Maningrida in anticipation of major housing investment to flow there this year. In the meantime, the area covered by the five year leases has been reduced substantially and we have moved to make rental payments to the land's owners.
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