Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs
As many members would know, the NSW Government recently announced the formation of a Ministerial Taskforce into the operation of Aboriginal Affairs in NSW.
It came as a response to a series of scathing government reports into the delivery of services to the Aboriginal people of NSW over the past decade.
Both the Auditor General and the NSW Ombudsman reviewed the operation of Two Ways Together - the previous NSW Government's 10-year plan for Aboriginal affairs. Both reports savaged the appalling failure of the program, and in particular of the service delivery provided by Aboriginal Affairs NSW.
The Ministerial Taskforce is the first time in the history of this state that Aboriginal people have been invited into the NSW Cabinet room, to participate in the creation of policies that affect our lives.
It's something we haven't been given the opportunity to try before, and that's why it's so important that we see this through.
I can't tell you what the Ministerial Taskforce will ultimately achieve - after all, the history of Aboriginal affairs in NSW is a sad one, particularly over the past decade. But I remain hopeful that that the Ministerial Taskforce will provide a clearer way forward on how to empower Aboriginal people to take control of their own affairs.
The O'Farrell Government is new, and is bringing fresh ideas to the table. Although it's very early days, that is encouraging.
The main focus of the Taskforce is on service delivery, education and employment. These are areas in which the NSW Aboriginal Land Council not only has a keen interest, but also a strong focus.
The Taskforce has released three discussion papers (downloadable below):
1. Improving service delivery and
government accountability in Aboriginal affairs across NSW
2. Improving educational outcomes for
Aboriginal people in NSW
3. Improving educational outcomes for
Aboriginal people in NSW
We can stand on the sidelines and criticize government. But ultimately that doesn't really get us anywhere. Or, we can stand inside the tent and try and have our voices heard. With that in mind, I urge our members - and the broader Aboriginal community of NSW - to engage in this process.
NSWALC Chairman, Stephen Ryan
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How can I have my say?
A series of public community meetings will be held in a number of different locations across NSW in January and February 2012.
Public community meetings will be held as follows:
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Further updates on times and venues will be available on the website shortly.
Submissions to the Taskforce
The Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs (the Taskforce) is also seeking submissions from community members and interested organisations and individuals to help them develop the new Aboriginal affairs strategy.
To facilitate this process a series of Community Discussion Papers have been released which are focused on the Taskforce Terms of Reference:
- to improve service delivery and accountability in Aboriginal affairs across NSW, with particular consideration of the recommendations of the Auditor General's report onTwo Ways Together, and other arising reports;
- to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW; and
- to improve employment outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW.
The Community Discussion Papers provide the public with the opportunity to comment on the key issues, as well as suggest possible solutions.
Community Discussion Paper
Improving service delivery and accountability in Aboriginal
affairs across NSW
- Community Discussion Paper: Service Delivery (PDF)- 8.7MB
- Submission Paper: Service Delivery (Word Doc)- 246KB
Community Discussion Paper
Improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW
Community Discussion Paper
Improving employment outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW
It is recommended when making a submission, that you type your response into the word document below the discussion paper, and email or post it to the Taskforce Secretariat at the details below.
If you would like to receive a printed version of the Community Discussion Papers, please register your postal address by sending an email to taskforce@dhs.nsw.gov.au or by calling the Taskforce Secretariat on (02) 9219 0702.
In making a submission, the Taskforce encourages participants to:
- provide innovative solutions to addressing some of the issues raised in theCommunity Discussion Papers;
- present new ideas, particularly those that are well-researched and supported by evidence; and
- provide examples of local solutions to issues raised in theCommunity Discussion Papersthat have had a positive impact on the community.
For people requiring additional support or experiencing difficulty in lodging a submission, please call the Taskforce Secretariat on (02) 9219 0702.
Submissions in relation to Improving service delivery and accountability in Aboriginal affairs across NSW and Improving employment outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW should be lodged no later than 5pm Wednesday 29 February 2012.
Submissions in relation to Improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW should be lodged no later than 5pm 30 March 2012 to enable responses from the school community.
Submissions should be sent to:
Email: taskforce@dhs.nsw.gov.au
or
Postal Address:
Reply Paid 85805
Secretariat
Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs
Tower B
Level 13, 280 Elizabeth Street
SURRY HILLS NSW 2000
You can get more information on the Taskforce here (http://www.daa.nsw.gov.au/taskforce/) and here ( http://tracker.org.au/2011/08/dominello-announces-new-aboriginal-taskforce-2/)