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302
Local input into planning and delivery of services under the Aboriginal Employment Development Policy
That State and Territory Governments consider whether, in coordinating the planning and delivery of services under the Aboriginal Employment Development Policy, including the development and coordination of planning at regional and local levels, ATSIC regional boundaries should be adopted as the geographic basis for such planning and delivery, and (subject to their agreement to do so), ATSIC Regional Councils should be involved in the planning process and perhaps take responsibility for it.
For many Aboriginal people, wealth is not just about material accumulation but is also perceived in nonmonetary terms — embracing notions of social, natural and cultural capital — such as collective well-being and care of relationships between family, community and Country. Aboriginal economies are based on distribution, reciprocity and exchange that support the livelihood and sustenance of all citizens and the health of Country. Aboriginal people also place great emphasis on cultural abundance such as buildings, sites, artworks and artefacts (tangible) as well as beliefs and traditions (intangible).
Aboriginal Justice Caucus Assessment
Recommendation 302 was considered no longer relevant to Victoria because the Aboriginal Employment Development Policy and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission are not in operation anymore.
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) referenced the Aboriginal Employment Development Policy (AEDP), which was launched in 1986. It was a comprehensive package of employment and training programs to address the disparity between the employment and income statuses of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Australia. It recognised that improved employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in the mainstream labour market, including in the public sector, could lead to increased economic independence and reduce the disempowering effects of welfare dependence.
The RCIADIC noted that state government involvement in community planning can provide a focused approach for the expenditure of state and Commonwealth resources. It was recommended that boundaries of Aboriginal communities are used as a basis for planning by relevant government agencies to ensure that services are planned and delivered with local input to address the needs of the community.
Actions Taken Since Last Review
Evidence provided to the Yoorrook Justice Commission
Tim Ada, Secretary of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR), gave evidence to the Yoorrook Justice Commission in June 2024. He noted that under the Yuma Yirramboi strategy, DJSIR has grant agreements with most Traditional Owner Corporations to support economic coordinators and has helped establish economic hubs within those organisations. DJSIR are responsible for delivering several big capital projects in regional Victoria and are ‘attempting to work with Traditional Owners in a far more strategic way.’
Impact
Yoorrook for Transformation
In June 2022, the State launched the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy (Invest in Tomorrow), supported by $25 million for implementation. Yuma Yirramboi aims to achieve employment and economic parity for Aboriginal people in Victoria within a generation.
Activities in Yuma Yirramboi are directed by the Yuma Yirramboi Council and Koori Caucus, which drive the provision of grants and funding and inform government initiatives related to Aboriginal people’s economic prosperity.
Despite these ambitions, Yoorrook heard that Yuma Yirramboi is inadequately resourced. Kinaway Chamber of Commerce told Yoorrook:
The minimal allocation in the recently released Victorian budget (7 May 2024) underscores the challenge of providing adequate services to support Aboriginal businesses … The budget does not reflect a willingness to ‘Invest in Tomorrow’ and certainly does not reflect the commitment to ‘bold’ plans with ‘high expectations’ [as stated on the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions website].
Yoorrook heard evidence, including from the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, that Yuma Yirramboi ‘lacks an implementation plan or any concrete steps to support Aboriginal people in working towards economic independence before a Treaty is negotiated’.
Yoorrook also heard that, Yuma Yirramboi requires an increase in appropriate funding and resources for implementation by Kinaway and other organisations and businesses. Yoorrook was told of the importance of accountability for Yuma Yirramboi — it ‘should not be another unfulfilled promise’.
Community Views
Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations
For many Aboriginal people, wealth is not just about material accumulation but is also perceived in nonmonetary terms — embracing notions of social, natural and cultural capital — such as collective well-being and care of relationships between family, community and Country. Aboriginal economies are based on distribution, reciprocity and exchange that support the livelihood and sustenance of all citizens and the health of Country. Aboriginal people also place great emphasis on cultural abundance such as buildings, sites, artworks and artefacts (tangible) as well as beliefs and traditions (intangible).