The federal government has set up a First Nations Reference Group to work in partnership with the government to design and implement the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program.
The government announced the establishment of the Group on Thursday.
The Remote Jobs and Economic Development program announced last month, aims to create 3,000 jobs in remote Australia, to "help close the gap in employment outcomes and boost economic opportunities", the government said.
In a statement the federal government said the program is part of the government's commitment to "replace the failed CDP and give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote communities access to real jobs, proper wages and decent conditions".
The program is "grounded in self-determination and the Government is committed to work in partnership with First Nations people and communities to ensure the program's success".
The First Nations Reference Group held its first meeting with Minister Burney and Assistant Minister McCarthy in Adelaide on Thursday.
The group includes economic development experts from across remote Australia and representatives from a range of organisations including: Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations; National Indigenous Employment and Training Alliance; Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory; Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation; Supply Nation; First Nations Workers Alliance; Cape York Partnership; Empowered Communities; Torres Strait Regional Authority; Ngaanyatjarra Council; Regional Anangu Services Aboriginal Corporation; Kimberley Aboriginal Regional Governance Group; and the Australian National University.
Supply Nation chief executive Kate Russell told National Indigenous Times she was "honoured to be part of the First Nations Reference Group for the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program".
"This initiative will support projects and job priorities for communities, helping to create generational wealth and close the Indigenous employment gap. I believe wholeheartedly that a prosperous future for Indigenous Australia is one with economic empowerment at its centre," she said.
The intent of the group is to provide advice on the design and implementation of the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program and on the future consultation and engagement process for remote communities and stakeholders. More information about the program is available online.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said the First Nations Reference Group "will play such an important role in designing and implementing the new Remote Jobs and Economic Development program and I'm looking forward to working with them".
"We know that programs are far more likely to succeed when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are involved in the design and implementation," she said.
"The First Nations Reference Group will be a critical partner and will help ensure the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program is a success."
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said the federal government is "committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to boost employment and economic development opportunities in remote areas".
"The First Nations Reference Group will provide important advice and guidance to the government, drawing on the expertise and lived experiences of members," the NT Senator said.
"Having First Nations people help design the new program will ensure communities have self-determination to decide what projects and jobs they need and want."
National Indigenous Times contacted several of the participating organisations for comment.
More to come.
