Alan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill (No.2) 2013 makes administrative amendments to the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000. The IE(TA) Act enables targeted education funding to provide valuable additional support to Indigenous students. All children, but particularly disadvantaged Indigenous children, need access to a proper education. This bill ensures that the government can continue to deliver targeted education programs to Indigenous students through IE(TA) programs, including programs that have a clear focus on supporting the government's priority of increasing school attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

The bill addresses changes from the 2013-14 budget resulting in IE(TA) being administered as an annual appropriation rather than a special appropriation. This change to the funding mechanism better aligns IE(TA) programs and payments with other similar payments and provides greater transparency and accountability.

The amendment enables to Minister for Indigenous Affairs to enter into funding agreements with service providers from 1 January 2014 for targeted education programs delivered under the IE(TA) Act. The Australian government is committed to working with the states and territories to ensure that right around Australia Indigenous children go to school. This bill reconfirms our commitment to increasing school attendance and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families and communities through the delivery of targeted programs.

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