Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bartlett for the question. I said on the last occasion that the government is concerned about prioritising the needs of the individual. That does not mean that we do not take anything else into account, but our priority is for outcomes for individual members of the Indigenous communities as opposed to the more corporate outcome for particular organisations. I indicate to Senator Bartlett that the current reforms to the CDEP include a greater focus on helping Indigenous Australians use CDEP as a stepping stone to employment. The reforms will help to address the concerns raised through consultations and by Indigenous leaders, many of whom have called for further CDEP reform. If I recall correctly, on the last occasion I had a quote from a former distinguished Democrat senator, Aden Ridgeway, to help make that point. The reforms put a stronger focus on employment and employability skills and form part of the government’s broader strategy to help Indigenous Australians to achieve true economic independence. In recent times we have increased the numbers of CDEP places available, and I am advised that Mr Andrews’s department will continue to work closely with Indigenous communities and CDEP organisations to help them to adjust to the reforms.