APY TASK FORCE

In reply to Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (26 June 2009).

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management): I am advised:

The APY Task Force program and funding commitments for the APY Lands expended in 2008-09 and of the programs allocated funding 2008-09, and how much funding each will receive in 2009-10, is summarised below.

The Task Force model of creating a central funding pool managed by the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in conjunction with other service delivery agencies, has been highly successful in delivering specific and targeted services and programs to improve the health and well being of Aboriginal people and families on the APY Lands.

As clear examples of the benefits, the quality of drinking water has improved and the prevalence of petrol sniffing has reduced considerably. The 2008 Nganampa survey of petrol sniffing on the APY Lands reported a further significant reduction of 47 per cent in the incidence of petrol sniffing across the Lands in the previous 18 months, adding to the 54 per cent reduction estimated in 2007 and the 60 per cent fall in the 2006 survey. The rate of seizure of illegal substances (including alcohol) coming on the Lands has increased dramatically since 2006, and income from sales of artwork increased by 45 per cent from 2006.

A key to this success, is the pooling of funding that provides the flexibility to direct resources, as required, to the highest and most immediate service needs on the Lands. If the full budget allocation is not required by an agency in a particular financial year, then funds can be reallocated within that year to supplement other programs, such as the DFC Family Centres Program in 2008-09, and to other priority initiatives identified on the Lands during the course of the year.

APY Lands Task Force Program Budget

Note 1—Additional $200K made available within the 2008-09 APY Task Force program toward seven Family Centre programs.

—In 2009-10 DFC plan to restructure these programs and associated budgets delivered to the APY Lands.

Note 2—DEH contributed internal resources to this program in 2008-09.

Note 3—DTEI anticipate that the full operational costs will be incurred on services in 2009-10.

Note 4—In 2009-10, funds of $109K allocated to upgrading the Ninku Arts Centre at Kalka for local Anangu artists.

Note 5—In 2008-09 and 2009-10 funds of $217K allocated to provide a trade training centre at the Ernabella school to improve education and employment outcomes for Anangu.