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

I thank Senator Payne for another very specific question in this area, and I will attempt to provide her with as much information as I can. If there is more information that we can provide subsequently, I am happy to do that. As the senator would be aware, the government did announce some significant reforms in employment participation and community development. These commence on 1 July 2013. The reforms will see a flexible and integrated service being delivered to people who live in remote areas of Australia, 85 per cent of whom are Indigenous. The reforms are the result of extensive community and industry feedback since 2011 and represent a $1.5 billion investment by the government over five years.

I am advised that providers have been announced in 56 of 59 remote regions. I think the senator indicated a slightly different number. I am also advised that the remaining announcements will be made shortly. Whilst there has been some delay in the announcement, I understand it was critical to the long-term success of the program that the review committee was able to have adequate time to best assess the detailed applications, and the care taken by the government and the committee in selecting providers underscores the importance the government places on providing people in remote Australia with the opportunities to get jobs and to fully participate in their communities.