$2 million to deliver scouting to Indigenous communities

The Australian Government will deliver $2 million in funding to Scouts Australia for the National Indigenous Scouting Programme in isolated Indigenous communities.

The Minister for Community Services, John Cobb, today welcomed the announcement that the Australian Government would provide funding from the
2005-06 Budget Surplus to Scouts Australia.

‘Scouts Australia has developed a culturally specific leadership and community development programme for young Indigenous people in a number of remote North Queensland and Northern Territory including Bamaga, New Mapoon and Nauiyu,’ Mr Cobb said.

‘This additional funding will enable the Scouts to continue in those communities and will allow for the expansion of the programme into other isolated and remote Indigenous communities.

‘The Australian Government will work with Scouts Australia to identify those communities which will benefit most from the addition of Scouts.

‘Scouts benefits young people by providing the opportunity to learn new skills, leadership, self-motivation and teamwork.

‘It also benefits adults and young people in the community who are trained and supported by Scouts to take on leadership roles with young people and within their communities.

‘The effort of Scouts Australia in seeking to strengthen leadership capacity and community engagement among young Indigenous Australians in isolated communities is commendable and I wish them well in progressing this initiative,’
Mr Cobb said.