WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding policies, programs, resources, and outcomes for Indigenous people in Western Australia within the Treasurer's portfolio since September 2008. The response details various initiatives and funding allocations across different agencies.

AnsweredQoN 774Legislative Assembly
Asked
5 May 2009
Portfolio
Treasurer; Minister for Commerce; Science and Innovation; Housing and Works

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What have been the major policy decisions that have been taken in each of the Treasurer’s portfolio areas, departments and agencies in the months since 23 September 2008 that have an impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia?
(2) What major program initiatives have been taken in each of the Treasurer’s portfolio areas, departments and agencies in the months since 23 September 2008 that have an impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia?
(3) What additional resources have been allocated to any program or policy initiatives in each of the Treasurer’s portfolio areas, departments and agencies in the months since 23 September 2008 that have an impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia?
(4) Please detail the progress or advances in securing positive outcomes for Indigenous people in Western Australia that have been achieved by any of the departments or agencies within the Treasurer’s portfolio areas since 23 September 2008?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
9 June 2009
Response time
35 days
Hairdressers Registration Board of Western Australia
(1) - (3) Nil
(4) N/A
Builders' Registration Board of Western Australia and Painters' Registration Board
(1) - (3) Nil
(4) N/A
GESB
(1) - (3) Nil
(4) N/A
WorkCover WA
(1) - (3) None.
(4) The
WorkCover WA Reconciliation Action Plan
was endorsed by the WorkCover WA corporate executive group in May 2008. Actions within that plan continue to be delivered, including the recent provision of cultural awareness training to all staff.
Insurance Commision of Western Australia
(1) Nil
(2) The Insurance Commission, in partnership with Yirra Yaakin, facilitated extension to an existing Theatre Sponsorship Agreement between the two parties for the production and touring of the play,
Muttacar Sorry Business
. Yirra Yaakin toured
Muttacar Sorry Business
between February 23rd and March 31st 2009 in the Great Southern and the metropolitan regions.
(3) Nil
(4) In October 2008, the Insurance Commission launched its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP is posted on the Insurance Commission's public website and on Reconciliation Australia's website. This initial plan is designed to promote awareness and respectful relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous people. There are future plans to build upon this RAP and identify other actions in the 2009/2010 year. In 2008, on 24 September and 22 October, presentations were made to the Clontarf Foundation on structured work experience and traineeship opportunities at the Insurance Commission.
The Department of the Registrar, WA Industrial Relations Commission
(1) Nil
(2) Nil
(3) Not applicable
(4) Not applicable
Small Business Development Corporation
(1-4) Since 23 September 2008, the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) has been:
Leading a national working group of senior officials to develop a half-day Seminar for Small Business Ministers to consider issues in Indigenous small business enterprise development in Australia and New Zealand, to be held the morning of the Small Business Ministerial Council on 29 July 2009;
Developing a Remote Area business program to provide locally coordinated and delivered services to assist businesses (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous operated) in the remote areas of Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing to identify opportunities to build joint venture partnerships and increase the capacity of the local economy to provide sub-contracted services and goods to large capital projects in the region; and
As of 1 July 2009, functions from the Aboriginal Economic Development Program will be transferred, along with $300,000 in recurrent funding, from the Department of Commerce to the SBDC.
Department of Treasury and Finance
(1) Nil.
(2) The Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) manages an industry training program that uses the department's building activities to train apprentices in building trades. The program sponsors more than 150 apprentices who are employed by group training organisations and are located throughout Western Australia.  At present, 39 of these trainees and apprentices are Indigenous.
DTF has recently formed a partnership with Fairbridge to support five Indigenous placements within the new Certificate II Building Maintenance traineeship.
DTF recently re-launched its Port Hedland trainee and apprenticeship program. The program will offer five Indigenous placements in carpentry and joinery trades. These trainees and apprentices will be employed and mentored by the group training organisation Bloodwood Tree.
The Building Management and Works Business Unit (BMW) has a leadership role in brokering engagement between State Government agencies and the Fitzroy Valley community through the Fitzroy Futures Forum. The Fitzroy Futures Forum Governance Committee was established and had its first full meeting on 15 October 2008.
(3) A Northwest Industry Training Officer has been appointed to manage the Kimberley and Port Hedland apprentices, the majority of which are Indigenous.
Since 23 September 2008, the industry training program has sponsored the employment of an additional 20 Indigenous trainees and apprentices.
On recommendation from the Fitzroy Futures Forum Governance Committee, DTF has made grant allocations from the Fitzroy Futures Fund to nine Indigenous organisations totalling $463,127. The funds will be used to support cultural, educational, economic and infrastructure projects.
(4) The industry training program's first Indigenous apprentice graduated as a glazier in late 2008. The DTF is working to increase its Indigenous apprentice and trainee numbers within the industry training program
The Government has signed the National Agreement on Indigenous Reform and five Indigenous-specific National Partnerships in health, housing, early child development, economic participation and remote service delivery. These commit significant Commonwealth and State funding to assist in achieving the Closing the Gaps targets. The agreements include detailed performance indicators and benchmarks. The State is working with the Commonwealth to improve data collection so that progress can be monitored and governments be held accountable. The Departments of Treasury and Finance and Housing have been, and will continue to be heavily engaged in implementing the reforms.
The Department of Commerce
:
(1) The Aboriginal Economic Development function is to cease on the 30 June 2009. A total of $600,000 per annum has been reallocated equally to the Small Business Development Corporation and the Department of Agriculture and Food for the part continuation of this function. Savings associated with this decision was identified by the Economic Audit.
The Small Business Assistance Program within WorkSafe's jurisdiction for assistance to remote indigenous communities commenced. This entails provision of construction safety induction training and the conduct of a risk assessment in the community leading to the provision of a simple and achievable safety management plan.
(2) A reduction in grant funding has resulted as part of the ceasing of the Aboriginal Economic Development function in 2009/2010 and subsequent years.
The WorkSafe Division Small Business Assistance Program for assistance to remote indigenous communities commenced. This entails provision of construction safety induction training and the conduct of a risk assessment in the community leading to the provision of a simple and achievable safety management plan.
The Consumer Protection Division working in conjunction with the Office of the Register of Indigenous Corporations and the Department of Indigenous Affairs, the Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Commerce has undertaken a pilot project to provide governance training for indigenous corporations and incorporated associations. The pilot program is based on a well tested and structured three day training workshop, which provides a good introduction to corporate governance principles.
(3) Additional resources have been made available to support enhanced telecommunications, including broadband and mobile telephony access in regional Western Australia. Indigenous communities will significantly benefit from this support.
WorkSafe Division - the $50,000 for the Small Business Assistance program is from the existing budget.
Consumer Protection Division - the governance training pilot program is being undertaken within existing resources.
(4) Science, Innovation & Business Division - Indigenous economic development initiatives generally span several budget years to yield economic and social returns. Initiatives that have registered positive outcomes for Indigenous people since 23 September 2008 include the following:
a. Telecommunications:
Ngaanyatjarra Lands Telecommunications Project - Stage 2
In November- December 2008, six satellite dishes were installed and commissioned into the 6 sites in Stage 2 of the Project - Cosmo Newberry, Kanpa, Tjirrkarli, Patjarr, Tjukurla, and Kiwirrkurra.
Warburton Mobile Telecommunications Project
The Warburton Mobile Telecommunications Project extends the provision of mobile telephony communications infrastructure and services to the Warburton Community. Commonwealth funding has been used to provide financial assistance in the form of a grant to Telstra Corporation to design, build, own, operate and maintain the required infrastructure.
Both these projects have been supported by the State and Commonwealth Governments.
b. Aquaculture:
Mine Lake
On 20 March 2009 the Minister for Commerce provided Ngalang Boodja Enterprises Pty Ltd grant funding of $350,000 towards a mine lake aquaculture commercial pilot project in Collie and the engagement of a Business Mentor to deliver project advice and training over a two year period.
Lake Argyle
Financial assistance of $30,000 to Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation (MG Corp) has been approved for a feasibility study on establishing Barramundi aquaculture on Lake Argyle.
c. Indigenous Art Initiatives:
Western Desert Mob
The Western Desert Mob was assisted to launch its first exhibition (21 Nov 2008 to 22 Feb 2009 Melbourne Museum) in the Eastern States.
Revealed
The Department of Commerce and the Department of Culture and the Arts jointly delivered the first state-wide Indigenous emerging artists' showcase exhibition in October 2008.
WA Peak Arts Industry Body
During the first quarter of 2009, the Department of Commerce and the Federal Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) jointly engaged a consultant to review the requirements for establishing a WA Peak Arts Industry Body.
d. Indigenous Employment Related Services
Now Consortium
The Department of Commerce provided tender writing support in February 2009 to a Noongar consortium (
Now Consortium
) to bid for the Universal Employment Services (UES) implemented by the Commonwealth Government from 1 July 2009.
Bayalgu Mid West Employment Program
The Bayalgu Mid West Employment Program supported by the Department of Commerce developed a range of work readiness skills and competencies that prepare Aboriginal trainees for entry into the resources and civil construction industries.
e. Tourism:
Since September 2008 the Department of Commerce assisted:
· Goombaragan Pty Ltd, a fledgling Indigenous tourism business in the West Kimberley to develop marketing material to enable promotion of its business nationally and internationally;
· Speewah Valley and Dambu Aboriginal Cultural Tours with licensing arrangements on Doon Doon Station in the East Kimberley to facilitate joint tourism ventures with two established tour operators;
· A walking tour concept for the Wanjina/ Wungurr Wilinggin people, traditional owners of a major land area in the West Kimberley.
· Negotiations to enable Kimberley Wilderness Adventures, a Wunan/APT Tours partnership to establish permanent facilities on Gibb River Station in the West Kimberley and to support the enterprise aspirations of the Nullagunda Community.
f. Property Development:
Commercial and Short Term Accommodation in the Midwest was assisted for the Bundiyarra Community Aboriginal Corporation to assess the feasibility of establishing commercial accommodation as well as short stay facility for Indigenous people attending hospital and other services in Geraldton.
WorkSafe Division - since 23 September 2008 the Small Business Assistant Program has been conducted in Marble Bar, Mt Margaret, Mulga Queen, Newman, Pai Wadjari, Tom Price and Yalgoo. Risk Assessments and safety management plans have been conducted in each place and 49 participants have received construction safety induction training.
Consumer Protection Division - to date, governance training workshops have been completed in Kalgoorlie, Perth, Karratha, Broome and Albany. Attendees have been members of the governing bodies of indigenous groups, who are in a position to influence governance behaviour within their communities.
The Department of Housing
In addition to initiatives within mainstream rental housing the following is provided -
(1) Hon Colin Barnett MLA, Premier, signed the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing as agreed at the COAG meeting of 29 November 2008. The Agreement establishes a ten year remote Indigenous housing strategy aimed at significantly reducing severe overcrowding, increasing the supply of new housing, improving the standard of existing housing and ensuring rental housing is well maintained and managed.
Hon Troy Buswell MLA, Treasurer, reached agreement with Hon Jenny Macklin MP Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs on implementing the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing on 15 May 2009. This triggers the release of funding to total $496 million until 30 June 2013.
(2) Moving to fast track legislative changes to enable the Housing Authority to legally manage housing on land managed by the Aboriginal Lands Trust and the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority to improve housing management and maintenance.
Undertaking an audit of the essential services infrastructure in over 90 communities as the first step to agreeing on roles, responsibilities and funding with the Commonwealth to improve service provision.
(3) The National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing will provide $496 million in Commonwealth funds until 30 June 2013.
(4) Housing management and maintenance services have been improved by strengthening the contractual requirements for Regional Housing Management Service Providers and implementing direct housing management through the Department of Housing for communities in Halls Creek and the Dampier Peninsula.
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