Mr HAMPTON - 2007-10-17
While CDEP has been a source of significant work for Aboriginal Territorians in remote communities, the Howard government is intent on destroying the program. Do you believe the abolition of CDEP is inconsistent with the Prime Minister’s newfound attachment to reconciliation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for what is a very important and fundamental question. You would have to say if the Prime Minister is genuinely committed to reconciliation, to actions as well as words, he will commit, as Labor has done federally and Labor in the Territory has, to a reformed CDEP and not to the brutal abolition of CDEP as we are seeing now.
There is no doubt that CDEP does require reform. It has been in place for a long time. In some communities, it probably has become a goal for young people rather than a pathway to a career. We need to work with CDEP to effect some change. However, overwhelmingly, and I believe every member here from the bush would bear testament to this, CDEP has had a very positive impact on people and communities right across the Territory. It has seen many Aboriginal Territorians contribute to their communities in most meaningful ways. Apart from the self-esteem of work and the contribution to the community, CDEP has also been the basis for developing enterprises, especially in communities where no other real labour market exists.
Take the example of the visual arts and crafts sector. With jobs in areas like visual art production, management, administration and audiovisual production, CDEP plays a key role in growing the sector and providing opportunities for more local artists. The benefits do not end there. For example, enterprises like art centres or tourism ventures benefit a community as a whole. They bring in visitors, they generate extra income for businesses like the local store or local mechanics.
Madam Speaker, overcoming indigenous disadvantage is at the heart of reconciliation. Abolishing CDEP and forcing participants on to labour market programs such as STEP, the Supported Training and Employment Programs, or work for the dole overlooks the significant impact that social enterprise has in a community. Abolishing CDEP on the basis of promoting real economic participation will, ironically, and we are already seeing it for many communities, have the opposite effect. It will remove financial incentives for people to work additional hours to supplement their income. As I said, we have already seen it. Take Gunya Titjikala, for example, a tourism enterprise that was the hope of that community and is now closed because CDEP has ended at Titjikala.
The abolition of CDEP is not an act of reconciliation. I call on the Prime Minister again, as I did last week, to demonstrate his commitment to reconciliation by following Labor’s lead and reinstate CDEP. Let us reform it together, but reinstate CDEP right across the Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for what is a very important and fundamental question. You would have to say if the Prime Minister is genuinely committed to reconciliation, to actions as well as words, he will commit, as Labor has done federally and Labor in the Territory has, to a reformed CDEP and not to the brutal abolition of CDEP as we are seeing now.
There is no doubt that CDEP does require reform. It has been in place for a long time. In some communities, it probably has become a goal for young people rather than a pathway to a career. We need to work with CDEP to effect some change. However, overwhelmingly, and I believe every member here from the bush would bear testament to this, CDEP has had a very positive impact on people and communities right across the Territory. It has seen many Aboriginal Territorians contribute to their communities in most meaningful ways. Apart from the self-esteem of work and the contribution to the community, CDEP has also been the basis for developing enterprises, especially in communities where no other real labour market exists.
Take the example of the visual arts and crafts sector. With jobs in areas like visual art production, management, administration and audiovisual production, CDEP plays a key role in growing the sector and providing opportunities for more local artists. The benefits do not end there. For example, enterprises like art centres or tourism ventures benefit a community as a whole. They bring in visitors, they generate extra income for businesses like the local store or local mechanics.
Madam Speaker, overcoming indigenous disadvantage is at the heart of reconciliation. Abolishing CDEP and forcing participants on to labour market programs such as STEP, the Supported Training and Employment Programs, or work for the dole overlooks the significant impact that social enterprise has in a community. Abolishing CDEP on the basis of promoting real economic participation will, ironically, and we are already seeing it for many communities, have the opposite effect. It will remove financial incentives for people to work additional hours to supplement their income. As I said, we have already seen it. Take Gunya Titjikala, for example, a tourism enterprise that was the hope of that community and is now closed because CDEP has ended at Titjikala.
The abolition of CDEP is not an act of reconciliation. I call on the Prime Minister again, as I did last week, to demonstrate his commitment to reconciliation by following Labor’s lead and reinstate CDEP. Let us reform it together, but reinstate CDEP right across the Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016