Aboriginal Affairs 2009-10 Budget

17 June 2009

The 2009-10 Budget includes Aboriginal-specific funding of more than $290 million. Highlights include:

Aboriginal Housing

• $13 million to commence 43 new dwellings and complete 35 homes for people in need

• $24.2 million for repairs and maintenance works to AHO-owned dwellings

• $5.5 million for repairs and maintenance works to community-owned dwellings

• $5.1 million to resource Aboriginal community organisations and to provide support and training for Aboriginal people

• $10 million under the ACDP to build and repair housing in Bourke, Brewarrina, Engonia, Lightning Ridge, Moree, Weilmoringle, Muli Muli, Tabulam, Dareton, Menindee, Wilcannia, Condobolin, Toomelah-Boggabilla and Kempsey

• $1 million to complete works in progress for dwelling construction and acquisitions for community-owned dwellings

Mr Lynch said the $10 million allocation for the ACDP would complete the 10-year, $240 million initiative. With the completion of the ACDP, Mr Lynch said the focus would now shift to a 25-year, $200 million NSW Government partnership with the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council to build and upgrade water and sewerage projects in remote communities. New South Wales will also play a key role in partnership with the Commonwealth in delivering the Remote Indigenous Housing National Partnership Agreement. The $5.5 billion, 10-year national project was outlined in the Federal Budget last month.

Community Services

• $4.3 million to tackle child sexual assault through Keep Them Safe, Safe Families program and intensive measures to develop local responses

Languages and culture

• $687,000 to promote and protect Aboriginal languages, develop Job Compacts and support cultural events

Circle sentencing

• $882,000 for circle sentencing in Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, Mt Druitt, Dubbo, Lismore, Armidale, Kempsey and Nowra

• $1.21 million for community patrols in Armidale, Ballina, Bourke, Brewarrina, Dareton, Dubbo, Kempsey, La Perouse, Mungindi, Nambucca Heads, Newcastle, Nowra, Taree and Wilcannia

Home Care

• $18.8 million for Aboriginal Home Care

Education

• $16 million for Norta Norta Program - more than 600 schools to receive tutorial assistance for senior Aboriginal students, independent learning hubs for students from kindergarten to Year 12

Health

• $93 million for Aboriginal-specific health initiatives

Water and sewerage

• $8.47 million in partnership with the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council as part of a 25-year $200 million program

Police

• $817,000 to establish five extra focus communities to tackle sexual assault in Orana Far West

Mr Lynch said $2.4 million would be made available in 2009-10 for 40 Partnership Community Project Officers to work with Aboriginal communities to improve service delivery. MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Williams 0408 602 936

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