Page 2633 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 10 August 2016

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MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Hinder.

MR HINDER: Minister, can you provide more details on the kick start my career through culture program outlined in this year’s budget?

DR BOURKE: The kick start my career through culture program is a joint initiative between the Community Services, Environment and Planning, and Education directorates. Kick start my career will support improvements in the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement’s key focus on education, cultural identity and employment and economic independence. The initiative will expand opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth by providing additional learning opportunities in culture and land management and career support tailored to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through two programs.

Firstly, the culture and country in schools program will see the development of a new culturally appropriate, flexible learning opportunity to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in nationally accredited and vocational training in culture and land management. Secondly, the kick start my career program will strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ skills and linkages with potential employers across a range of workplaces.

The ACT government recognises the need to expand opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. The kick start my career program will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth at risk of leaving school. This initiative will contribute to enhancing student engagement with learning and improving school attendance and retention rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

The initiative also contributes to whole-of-government efforts to reduce the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth entering the youth justice system. The total cost of $651,000 will be met from the existing resources of the directorates involved.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hinder.

MR HINDER: Can the minister inform the Assembly how the ACT government would transition reporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes from the Closing the gap report to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement 2015-18?

MADAM SPEAKER: Is there money in the budget for that? I am sorry, I know that it is about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs but the original question was about budget initiatives.

Ms Burch: Madam Speaker, if I may, my original question was around the budget initiatives and how they relate to the agreement 2015-18.

MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you. I will allow the question. Dr Bourke.


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