Ministerial Release
MOU to advance Indigenous employment
20th March, 2007
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed today to focus on Indigenous employment and skills shortages in the forest industry, and on opportunities to encourage Indigenous business in regional Australia.
The MOU aims to advance the implementation of the National Indigenous Forest Strategy.
It was signed by representatives from peak Indigenous business organisations and the Australian forest industry along with four Australian Government Ministers - Senator Abetz (Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation); Senator Scullion, Minister for Community Services on behalf of Mr Brough, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; Minister Bishop (Education, Science and Training) and Minister Hockey (Employment and Workplace Relations).
"The MOU formalises the relationship between the interested parties who will work in partnership with Indigenous people to build stronger communities by encouraging and supporting employment and business opportunities in the forestry sector," Senator Abetz said.
A former chair of Parliament's Native Title Committee, Senator Abetz continued: "Australia has a total of 164.4 million hectares of forest area. Of this, 13 percent in total is under indigenous total. Yet the forest sector only employs only 234 indigenous Australians out of a total forestry sector workforce of 91,400 - that's just 0.26 percent."
Minister Hockey said: "A job is any Australian's key to economic independence. The positive role model of a parent in work can also help avoid the trap of welfare dependency for their children.
"By partnering with the forestry industry we can build Indigenous Australians' job skills and career prospects at a time when the economy needs more workers."
"The forest industry has been identified as one of the potential employers of Indigenous people, particularly in rural and remote Australia," Senator Scullion said, "and I welcome the commitment of all the parties to this joint effort."
"Vocational education and training will help increase employment and business development opportunities for Indigenous Australians and communities, providing a foundation for greater economic independence," Minister Bishop said.
The Australian Government will work with the forest industry and indigenous communities to tailor programmes and projects that support employment, business development and training.