Page 1372 - Week 04 - Thursday, 30 March 2017

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provided, programs administered, and the outcomes delivered by the ACT government for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the ACT.

All relevant directorates provided input to the government response. The report on the outcomes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body hearings 2014 fifth report to the ACT government contains 18 recommendations, and the report on the outcomes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body hearings 2015 sixth report to the ACT government contains 15 recommendations, a total of 33 recommendations. The ACT government has agreed to 14 of the recommendations and has agreed in principle to a further seven recommendations. The remaining 12 recommendations have been noted by the government.

The implementation of the agreed recommendations is monitored by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs subcommittee of the ACT public service strategic board. The government response represents only a small part of the ACT government’s ongoing commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The government is investing $2.3 million over four years specifically to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Canberra. The last budget included initiatives that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans and address Indigenous disadvantage through strong connections to culture, supporting people through the justice system, expanding outreach and other health programs, and improving career opportunities.

Since the inception of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement 2015-2018: employment targets have been incorporated into the personal KPIs of senior executive service staff members; all directorates have or are developing reconciliation action plans; an Indigenous development program is scheduled to start in May 2017; the 2016-17 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander omnibus budget initiative saw the approval of a number of programs specifically targeting seven key focus areas of the agreement; an older persons’ accommodation project has delivered five culturally designed villas for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing clients, and Labor committed to a second project during the election; and a new Ngunnawal bush healing farm has been built to provide culturally appropriate health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.

Madam Assistant Speaker, the release of the government response provides an opportunity to promote the productive relationship between the government, the elected body and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, as well as a unique and progressive approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs in the ACT.

Affordable housing

Discussion of matter of public importance

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Cody): Madam Speaker has received letters from Ms Cheyne, Ms Cody, Mr Coe, Mrs Dunne, Mrs Kikkert, Ms Le Couteur, Ms Lee, Mr Milligan, Ms Orr, Mr Parton, Mr Pettersson, Mr Steel and Mr Wall


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