A public meeting to provide local residents with the opportunity to have their say on the development of a new Aboriginal affairs strategy for NSW will be held in Mount Druitt on Wednesday 8 February 2012, Member forPenrith Stuart Ayressaid today.
The public community meeting is part of the NSW Government’s Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs consultation process which has been outlined by Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Victor Dominello MP.
The community consultation process provides the opportunity for interested parties to attend a public meeting or make a submission to the Ministerial Taskforce that will assist it develop a new strategy which will include effective reforms in service delivery, education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people.
“As part of the Ministerial Taskforce’s commitment to bringing the voice of the Aboriginal community to the decision making table, the Taskforce wants to hear directly from Aboriginal leaders, communities and other stakeholders,” Mr Ayres said.
“This Government is determined to work in partnership with the Aboriginal community to achieve better results in closing the gap and ensure Aboriginal kids have more choice and opportunity in education and employment.
“To support the public consultation process and target the agenda for discussions, Community Discussion Papers on service delivery, education and employment have been released.
“The Community Discussion Papers allow the community to make an online submission which will be used to develop the strategy.
The Ministerial Taskforce is interested in successful initiatives and evidence based ideas that are working to assist more Aboriginal students obtain a quality education and find meaningful employment.
“I strongly encourage all interested residents to attend the public community meeting on 8 February or visit the Ministerial Taskforce website and make an online submission.
“Working in partnership, the Aboriginal community and Government can start the change by building better futures for Aboriginal people and local residents in Penrith,” Mr Ayres said.
For more information about the Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs, to access the Community Discussion Papers and for further information including locations, venues and times for the community meetings, please visit the Ministerial Taskforce webpage at: http://www.daa.nsw.gov.au/taskforce/ or phone the Taskforce Secretariat on (02) 9219 0702.
