GLENN STERLE

LABOR SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SENATOR FOR HASLUCK, TANGNEY, DURACK & O’CONNOR

MEDIA RELEASE

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS INTO CHAOTIC INDIGENOUS FUNDING

Labor is urging local Indigenous service providers to make submissions to the Senate Inquiry into the Abbott Government’s shambolic Indigenous grants tendering processes.

Senator for Western Australia Glenn Sterle said the Abbott Government’s savage cuts of more than $500 million from Indigenous programs in the 2014-15 Budget had created confusion, chaos and concern for local organisations and people.

“Just six weeks out from the Abbott Government’s second Budget, there are still very few details about these savage cuts, how much funding has been provided under the Indigenous Advancement Program (IAS) for programs across Western Australia,” Senator Sterle said.

“Tony Abbott promised to be the Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs. Nine months after this disastrous IAS funding process began; local Indigenous service providers are still facing ongoing uncertainty about the viability and sustainability of their services in the wake of massive funding reductions.

“The chaotic and confusing application process further compounded the issues, leaving many organisations unsure if they can keep their doors open,” Senator Sterle said.

Senator Sterle has urged all local organisations that tendered under the IAS to make a submission to the Senate Inquiry about their experience and the impact of the funding outcome on their services and communities.

“It is vital that those organisations that applied for funding, whether they were successful or not, and those that were unable to make submissions, to tell their story and outline the impact of this process,” Senator Sterle said.

The Senate Inquiry, cosponsored by Labor, will investigate where the cuts have fallen by region and service type, particularly where it is uncertain replacement services will be made available.

Submissions close on the 30 April 2015 with the Finance and Public Administration References Committee to report by 18 June 2015.

Further information on the Senate Inquiry into the Indigenous Advancement Strategy can be found at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Finance_and_Public_Administration/Commonwealth_Indigenous