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Media Release
INDIGENOUS LEADERS TO PLAY GREATER ROLE
Monday 1 August 2005
Indigenous leaders across New South Wales’ Murdi Paaki region will play a greater decision-making role with the signing in Bourke today of a key Shared Responsibility Agreement.
“Under this new agreement, regional and community governance will be strengthened,” the Hon. Pat Farmer, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, Science and Training said.
“The agreement formally recognises the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly as the peak Indigenous regional body and primary point of Indigenous community contact.”
Mr Farmer joined with Australian and NSW Government officials, leaders representing 16 community working parties, and Mr Sam Jeffries, Chairperson of the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly, to sign the agreement.
“Shared Responsibility Agreements have come up with practical programs and activities for the benefit of the communities in the region,” he said.
“These include night patrols in Bourke, efforts to improve school attendance, support for distance education up to Year 10 for students who live long distances from school, an Aboriginal women’s homemaker program and the trialling of evaporative air cooling systems for homes.
“The Australian Government sees the value of such efforts. That is why we have provided $156,000 in funding for the Assembly, supporting effective engagement between government and the people of Murdi Paaki.
“Governance is about supporting the communities in making their own decisions. It is about ensuring accountability is shared with governments for service delivery.
“I have great confidence that the Regional Assembly will strengthen the capacity for governments and Indigenous communities to work in true partnership for the future.”
A report released by the NSW Government last week told of the dire plight of the Indigenous people of the Murdi Paaki region, and provided compelling evidence a new approach was required.
The Indigenous residents of Murdi Paaki lag well behind Indigenous people of the rest of NSW, across a range of important social indicators including justice, health and education. When compared to non-Indigenous residents, the differences in many areas are very great.
“I am honoured today to be a part of signing this historic agreement, and I hope that this marks the start of continued co-operation between the Australian Government and Indigenous communities like Murdi Paaki,” Mr Farmer said.
Media Contact: Nigel Dique 0421 588 086
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