Indigenous education funding arrangements
On 7 December
2004, the Senate referred to this committee an inquiry into the
implications arising from changes to targeted assistance in indigenous
education. These changes will follow with the implementation of the
Indigenous Education (Financial Assistance) Bill 2004, agreed to in the
last sitting week in 2004.
The bill amends the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000
to: appropriate funding for the period 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2009
for the: Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Programme, Indigenous
Education Direct Assistance Programme, continuation of the
'away-from-base' element of ABSTUDY, Indigenous Youth Leadership
Programme, and Indigenous Youth Mobility Programme. The bill specifies
commitments and conditions, including financial and educational
accountability conditions, which must be included in funding agreements
under the Act.
Relevant second reading speeches to the bill from Hansard:
the Hon Dr Nelson, Minister for Education (PDF format)
Senator Crossin, Chair, EWRE References Committee (PDF
format)
The committee
has written to state and territory education ministers requesting
information on how the new provisions are affecting state and territory
programs and administration. The committee is also concerned about the
effect of the legislative changes on the delivery of programs to
particular schools and communities, and especially on the Aboriginal
Student and Parent Awareness (ASSPA) committees.
The committee
invites submissions addressing some or all of the terms of reference. As
the committee expects to report in May 2005, submissions, however brief,
will be required by mid-February 2005.
It is likely
that the committee will travel to some parts of northern Australia to talk
to those communities affected by funding changes, and to centres in the
southern states as well. An itinerary for hearings and visits will be put
on the website at the end of February.
Inquiries from hearing and speech impaired people should be directed to the Parliament House TTY number (02) 6277 7799. Adobe also provides tools for the blind and visually impaired to access PDF documents. These tools are available at: http://access.adobe.com/. If you require any special arrangements in order to enable you to participate in a committee inquiry, please contact the committee secretary.
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia