Canberra

Monday 1 June 2009

Good morning and let me say it’s a pleasure to be here speaking with you today.

I know many of you have come a long way. Some of you might be finding the Canberra winter colder than what you’re used to – even for a Melbournite like me, it takes a while to adjust.

Congratulations on taking your place in Job Services Australia. 

Our changes will make employment services more responsive to people’s needs. Providers such as yourselves will have more scope to give your clients a more personalised service.

In some ways this conference is historic.  Never before has there been so many Indigenous businesses delivering the Government’s employment service to Indigenous people.  

There’s more than 25 Indigenous businesses right across the country – from Groote Eylandt to Wagga Wagga to Tom Price to Shepparton – who will be Job Services Australia providers.

You all bring a wealth of experience and dedication to your role of delivering services to Indigenous Australians.

While the Government will continue to improve its policies for Indigenous people who need work and training, we know that the right policies are only half the solution.

We rely on you – on your professionalism and your local knowledge  –  to match our policies and programs with people in your communities.

The Government is determined to bridge the gap in opportunities for Indigenous Australians. To halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in a decade.

I like to think that the contractual arrangements you entered into to become a Job Services Australia provider is more than just a financial agreement.

I like to think that it’s a partnership – between yourselves and the Government to close the shameful gap between the haves and have-nots in our country.

In this spirit of partnership, I am keen to hear your feedback – through the Conference over the next few days – and in the future, as the new services are delivered.

It is critical that you tell Government what is working, and what could work better.

Improving Indigenous employment is not just a matter of creating and filling jobs. It also involves changing attitudes and creating work environments where Indigenous people feel welcome, supported and respected.

Your skills and your commitment have never been more important. We’re facing tough economic times – everyone knows that.

But regardless of the economic downturn the Government remains committed and determined to overcome Indigenous disadvantage. 

Jobs Services Australia will be the largest provider of employment services for Indigenous job seekers.

We know that when an Indigenous person looks for a job they are at a disadvantage.  Under the existing employment service model 80 per cent of Indigenous job seekers are identified as highly disadvantaged compared with just 28 per cent of all other job seekers.

That appalling statistic is just one reason why we reformed the system. The feedback we got in consultations confirmed that our reforms were on the right track.

Job Services Australia will both respond to these tough financial times and improve services to Indigenous clients. It has a much greater focus on assisting disadvantaged job seekers. 

Job Services Australia folds seven separate employment services programs into an integrated approach – a ‘one stop shop’

What you will be offering your clients is a flexible, demand-driven and individually tailored service.

You will be able to give people looking for a job an Employment Pathway Plan that is as individual as they are.

A plan that can include literacy and numeracy programs, work experience, help with resumes, trade equipment and training. And you can do this knowing that you can draw on the Employment Pathway Fund to support your clients on their journey to employment.

Many of your gave us your views in the consultation phase. We listened. We accept that it costs more to deliver services in remote areas where most people looking for a job are Indigenous.

Providers will get 1.7 times the standard rate for servicing remotely located people. 

All Job Services Australia providers must develop and implement an Indigenous Employment Strategy to attract, train and retain Indigenous employees.

You don’t need me to tell you there’s a strong case for hiring Indigenous Australians.

Customers demand it for a start.  Both non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians want to see Indigenous employees working in the businesses and services that they use.

Indigenous employees significantly contribute to business development and Indigenous recruits add a new dimension to the diversity of a business.

The statistics alone are convincing.

The Indigenous population is growing faster than the non-Indigenous population.  Just over half of the Indigenous population are under 25 compared with only a third of the non-Indigenous population.

The Government’s reforms to Indigenous employment programs will support the work you do as Job Services Australia providers.

We have reformed the Indigenous Employment Program. These reforms mean communities can develop their own economic development strategies, more Indigenous people will receive training and assistance to find employment, and more Indigenous Australians will be supported to start their own business.

The IEP Employment Panel will work with employers to provide sustainable jobs and career pathways for Indigenous Australians.

The IEP Economic Development and Business Support Panel will help communities and organisations develop businesses, and develop local and regional economies.

I would urge everyone here today to explore how they can use the Indigenous Employment Program to complement the services they provide their clients through Job Services Australia.

Many of you will know about CDEP reforms. CDEP has now been restructured with more focus on community development and supporting local projects.

Community development workers and local engagement officers will be better resourced.

We expect CDEP and Job Services Australia to work closely together in the interests of all participants. There will be dual registration of clients with CDEP and Job Services Australia providers. And CDEP and Job Services Australia providers will work together through a Service Level Agreement. Further information about these Service Level Agreements will be provided to you tomorrow.

I know that many of you have established your business credentials delivering CDEP, IEP and other Government programs.

This conference provides a great opportunity for you to take that expertise forward with the start of this new employment services model, Job Services Australia.

You have a real opportunity to be leading edge employment providers to Indigenous Australians.

You have an opportunity to be innovative; to show leadership.

The links you build with your local communities and employers, and the high quality of your servicing makes all the difference when it comes to getting Indigenous Australians trained up and into work.

I hope you enjoy the conference and I look forward to hearing about your success. Thank you.

ENDS