Communities Call For Rethink of CDEP
Over 40 delegates from 17 remote area communities met in Darwin yesterday to discuss their concerns regarding the phase out of CDEP from remote Aboriginal communities in the NT
The group is calling upon the Australian Government to retain and strengthen CDEP.
The group were from organizations representing 4,320 CDEP participants.
Delegates had concerns about the practicalities of terminating people from CDEP and moving them onto programs such as STEP and Work for the Dole.
There are many questions but few answers from the Government to enable organizations to effectively work out their futures.
The group is calling upon the Government to undertake an urgent review of STEP, STEPERS and Work for the Dole programs to ascertain their suitability in remote areas. The group believes that these inflexible programs are less effective than CDEP, will deliver fewer outcomes and in some places will be largely undeliverable.
The group welcomes reforms that will lead to unsubsidized employment through training and meaningful investment in the development of commercial enterprises in remote areas.
The delegates said the Australian Government needs to reinstate community development into all of its employment programs.
On the anniversary of the Hon Mal Brough MP’s ‘Blueprint for Action’ speech the delegates are shocked and disappointed at the disregard of the Australian Government for the first principle articulated in the speech; ‘Respecting Culture’. Ends 7 September 2007
Contact:
LGANT - President Alderman Kerry Moir 0419 303 378
Ian Munro - CEO Bawinanga Corp. Maningrida 0417 899 524
Susan Sandery – Laynhapuy Homelands Association 0427 955 499
Phil Maynard -Manager Communications LGANT 8936 2890
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