Northern Territory To Invest $980 Million For Indigenous Services
The Henderson Government will deliver the single biggest investment in the Territory’s history to improve services in the bush, and make a change for Indigenous Territorians.
Indigenous Development Minister, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the $980 million in Budget 2010 will deliver increased services and economic opportunities to Indigenous Territorians living remotely.
“This is the first major down payment investing in the future of Indigenous Territorians,” Ms McCarthy said.
“As part of the Henderson Government’s Working Future policy, Budget 2010 delivers a whole-of-government approach to improving housing and increasing health, education and transport services for Indigenous Territorians.
“This record investment will improve the lives of Indigenous Territorians as well as increase opportunities for economic participation and jobs.
“The Henderson Government is absolutely committed to improving the lives of people living in the bush and working with Indigenous people to invest in their future.
“Budget 2010 also continues to invest in the development of our 20 Territory Growth Towns delivering funding for roads upgrades, more education and health services and safer communities.
“In conjunction with the Rudd Labor Government, the Territory Government is working to achieve real change for Indigenous Territorians.
“While the Territory Government’s Working Future focuses on improving the lives of Indigenous Territorians, this record investment will benefit the whole community.”
Initiatives in Budget 2010 include:
- $354 million for remote Indigenous housing and related infrastructure under the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program
- $236.5 million to provide land servicing and essential services infrastructure in Territory Growth Towns
- $125.3 million to continue upgrades to remote Indigenous housing and related infrastructure
- $28 million to construct and upgrade Government Employee Housing in remote communities
- $49.2 million to upgrade roads in remote regions
- $7.5 million to upgrade airstrips including at Utopia, Canteen Creek and Yarralin communities
- a $6.2 million three year program to upgrade barge landing facilities at Nguiu, Gapuwiyak, Ramingining, Maningrida and Galiwinku
- $3.1 million over the next two years for regional bus trials in Central Australia and the Top End
- $73 million for additional police in remote areas and the completion of five new police stations at Gapuwiyak, Ramingining, Yarralin, Arlparra and Imanpa, supported by the Commonwealth
- $11.7 million for health, hospital and clinic services in remote communities
- $31 million for early childhood and education services in remote communities
- $21.4 million as part of the Commonwealth’s five-year commitment to fund 200 additional teachers
- $7.45 million to boost Indigenous training and employment programs
- $11.9 million to improve services in Indigenous communities including expanding the Aboriginal Interpreter Service and sport and recreation programs in remote communities.
Ms McCarthy said the Henderson Government along with the Australian Government remained committed to closing the gap of disadvantage between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“Investments and a focus on primary health care which has resulted in a major health success story for Territory Indigenous women and children – and these are the changes we can make,” she said
Health gains include:
- Aboriginal women are now living three years longer on average than they did before.
- Indigenous infant mortality rate has fallen by 35 per cent
- Anaemia rates for Aboriginal children have fallen by 20 per cent a significant improvement in their ability to grow and lead a normal life;
- Cervical cancer rates have fallen by 61 per cent.
Topics: 2010, affordable housing, Australia, Austrlia, Budget 2010, business, construction, economic development, economic growth, economic recovery, Economy, education, employment, families, Governance, government, green, green spaces, Growing the Territory Plan, Health Care, health services, homeless, hospitals, housing, Indigenous, Indigenous Territorians, industrial land, industry, investment, jobs, land, moniter, monitor, Nation Building and Jobs Plan, new homes, news, Northern Australia, Northern Territory, Parliament, politics, public housing, real estate, rural, schools, services, society, South Australia, Territorians, Territory Government, Territory Growth Towns, transport
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