Senator Trish Crossin today welcomed the announcement of the timetable for the new Indigenous Economic Development Strategy which includes the reform of the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP).
Date: 01 May 2008
Senator Trish Crossin today welcomed the announcement of the timetable for the new Indigenous Economic Development Strategy which includes the reform of the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP).
Senator Crossin said, “This development implements our election policy to review and improve both CDEP and Indigenous employment programs. It will be done in consultation community by community, in genuine partnership with Indigenous people, over a period of 12 months.
“The 30 communities that had CDEP abolished under the previous government will have it reintroduced and those communities that have continued with CDEP will receive funding for a further 12 months.
“These 30 communities will have CDEP rolled back in to them, commencing July 1st 2008. At this time, a major review of CDEP and Indigenous employment programs will be commenced in full consultation with the organisations and people concerned.”
The CDEP program will have an emphasis on moving to real jobs where these exist. In all cases, participants will have to follow a strict “no work, no pay” policy.