Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

More support for Aboriginal people in the Murdi Paaki region

Joint Media Release with:

  • Victor Dominello MP
    NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs

Aboriginal people in the Murdi Paaki region of far western New South Wales will benefit from more job opportunities and better access to education as a result of a new Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA).

Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin and New South Wales Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Victor Dominello welcomed the new agreement today.

“The Federal Labor Government will provide $650,000 over the next three years to support the new agreement which focuses on long-term, sustainable social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people in the region to help close the gap in Aboriginal disadvantage,” Ms Macklin said.

“The new Agreement between the Australian and New South Wales Government and the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly follows the historic previous agreement – the first ever RPA in New South Wales – signed in 2009, which was supported by $1.6 million from the Australian Government.

“The new Agreement commits partners to work together to improve education, employment and economic development outcomes, strengthen governance and leadership, and to reduce incarceration rates in the region.

“There will be continued support for the successful Murdi Paaki Aboriginal Young Leaders Project which provides leadership opportunities for young Aboriginal people across the 16 Murdi Paaki communities.

“Over the past four years more than 150 young people have taken part in the program with many continuing with further education, finding employment and developing leadership skills.”

Mr Dominello said that a key feature of the new Agreement will be a mid-term evaluation to ensure that outcomes are measured and that the needs of the local Aboriginal community are being met.

“The new Agreement will emphasise the importance of strong community governance structures, assist in growing leadership skills and build greater capacity among communities,” Mr Dominello said.

Regional Partnership Agreements are a commitment by the Australian and state and territory governments, Aboriginal community representatives and other stakeholders to work together to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.

They are a practical way to identify priority needs and set out a jointly agreed plan to deliver coordinated services, eliminating duplication and gaps.