Mr STONE (Chief Minister): - 1996-08-21
Mr STONE (Chief Minister): Mr Speaker, the member for Arnhem asked questions in relation to community development employment projects (CDEP). I have obtained that information. The federal government has renewed its commitment to health, housing and infrastructure and, as a result, it has decided to largely quarantine CDEP.
Mr Ah Kit interjecting.
Mr STONE: The member for Arnhem asked the question and I have gone to considerable trouble to obtain a specific answer for him. I am sure that Territorians who heard the question would like to hear the answer.
The federal government has decided to largely quarantine CDEP, which provides employment for 28 300 indigenous Australians through about 260 projects, and also the community health infrastructure projects (CHIP). CDEP participant numbers will remain as they have been and CHIP funding will average some $210m per year for the next 4 years, compared with an average of $200m over the past 4 years. I give that specific answer to the member for Arnhem.
In relation to a question asked by the member for Casuarina, I add the additional information that I am absolutely delighted to see in the federal budget the abolition of the grants to the Construction, Forestry, Mining, and Energy Union. Some $0.2m was to have been given by Labor in Canberra to its mates in the union movement - the very same thugs who set upon the federal Parliament House, trashed a small business and beat up policewomen and policemen.
Page 1535
Mr Ah Kit interjecting.
Mr STONE: The member for Arnhem asked the question and I have gone to considerable trouble to obtain a specific answer for him. I am sure that Territorians who heard the question would like to hear the answer.
The federal government has decided to largely quarantine CDEP, which provides employment for 28 300 indigenous Australians through about 260 projects, and also the community health infrastructure projects (CHIP). CDEP participant numbers will remain as they have been and CHIP funding will average some $210m per year for the next 4 years, compared with an average of $200m over the past 4 years. I give that specific answer to the member for Arnhem.
In relation to a question asked by the member for Casuarina, I add the additional information that I am absolutely delighted to see in the federal budget the abolition of the grants to the Construction, Forestry, Mining, and Energy Union. Some $0.2m was to have been given by Labor in Canberra to its mates in the union movement - the very same thugs who set upon the federal Parliament House, trashed a small business and beat up policewomen and policemen.
Page 1535
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016