Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Carr is going to buy me a drink later, I think. As I understand it, this is in Minister Collins's portfolio, which I do represent in this place. In relation to the Indigenous Employment Program, the government obviously remains committed to it and will fund over $640 million to the program over the next four years. I am also advised that the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is meeting all of its contract commitments for the current IEP projects. This includes making timely and efficient payments to employers, individuals and IEP panel members.

In moving forward, the department is continuing to accept and consider proposals for the provision of IEP services from panel members and employers. It should be noted that there has been very high demand for this funding. A priority is being placed on the funding of high-quality projects that deliver strong employment outcomes, including in a range of key industries such as retail, mining, transport, banking, finance and the public sector. I think the senator asked when notice was given in relation to particular contracts. I do not have a brief—and she might want to follow this up in a supplementary—that appears to go specifically to that issue.