Aboriginal Employment

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:12): Supplementary: is the minister concerned that only 3,000 such places were announced this week?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for his question. The announcement for the original 3,000 places wasn’t made this week. I think it was reflected in the budget this week, but it was announced some time ago. Certainly, in the communities I have talked to, it has been welcomed as a good start.