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Message from Senator Amanda Vanstone, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
The Australian Government is improving the way services are provided for Indigenous people and communities.
From 1 July 2004, Australian Government agencies will be responsible for providing services to Indigenous people, just as they do for other Australians.
- CDEP, home loans, community housing, cultural programs and other services will all continue as before.
- There will be no cuts to Indigenous funding under the new approach.
- Agreed funding for Indigenous community organisations will continue without interruption.
New Indigenous Coordination Centres (ICCs) will operate in rural and remote areas to coordinate programs and handle services to Indigenous people.
The ICCs will have responsibility for the same services currently funded by ATSIS.
We are also planning to include other programs such as health and education in these centres.
In urban areas, services to Indigenous people will also be improved through better access and coordination.
We want more of the money allocated for Indigenous people to hit the ground. We want local communities to have a real say in how it is spent.
We want to stop government departments working in an unconnected way—we want them to work together as one with local communities.
The aim is better services and better outcomes.
This will take time—and we all need to work together to make it happen.
Canberra
17 June 2004
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