Advancing opportunities for Indigenous Australians

Maintaining the momentum

After major reform and unprecedented investment (around $9 billion over ten years, as agreed by COAG in 2008) there are signs of progress against Closing the Gap targets.

A focus on Indigenous youth

Indigenous youth comprise around half of all Indigenous people. Ensuring this group reaches their economic potential will be critical to closing the gap.

The $51 million Indigenous Youth Career Pathways Program will provide for school‑based traineeships and other support to assist Indigenous students to complete high school and move into work or further education.

Bolstering services

The Government is also providing:

• $35 million to assist Indigenous health organisations to establish best practice management and quality care standards;
• $28 million to upgrade airstrips in remote areas, enabling better access to transport, medical and essential services in those areas; and
• support for 18,250 Indigenous Australians over five years as part of a $206 million expansion to the Access to Allied Psychological Services program, as well as other initiatives in the National Mental Health Reform package.

Resetting the relationship

Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians is an important element of reconciliation, and work is on track to progress options for reform by the end of 2011.

Reunion, family tracing and counselling services for members of the Stolen Generation will continue under the Link Up and Bringing Them Home programs ($39 million over four years). Program reform from July 2011 will enable better geographic coverage and more flexible delivery of these services.

The Government will also provide $15 million to support National Indigenous Television in 2011‑12.