Changing lives for the better in the Northern Territory
A stronger police presence in remote communities as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) is helping to improve the wellbeing and safety of Indigenous people and communities.
Media Releases
May 2011
Building the evidence to Close the Gap
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today launched the first Closing the Gap Clearinghouse report which helps to build the evidence base for the Government's efforts to overcome Indigenous disadvantage.
Household Assistance Working Group meeting
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, hosted the second Household Assistance Working Group meeting at Parlia
Tackling problem gambling in Australia
The Australian Government today took another step forward in its efforts to address problem gambling in Australia.
National Sorry Day
Australians are today marking National Sorry Day in communities across the country, reflecting on the grief and trauma experienced by members of the Stolen Generations and committing to an ongoing journey of healing.
Historic Gove Agreement Approved
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today announced her approval and consent to the Rio Tinto Alcan Gove Traditional Owners Agreement and lease under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976.
Volunteer Grants 2011 closing soon
With the closing date for Volunteer Grants 2011 fast approaching, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Julie Collins, are encouraging not-f
National Reconciliation Week begins
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today marked the start of National Reconciliation Week by talking with Narrabundah College students in Canberra about constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
Report finds stores licensing delivers healthier food to remote Indigenous communities
An independent report has found stores licensing in the Northern Territory has helped people in remote communities to have better access to healthy, affordable food.
NAIDOC poster competition winner announced
An Indigenous artist from Mackay in Central Queensland has won the prestigious National NAIDOC Poster Competition for 2011.
Kicking goals for reconciliation
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin, and the Minister for Sport and Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Mark Arbib, today participated in the Long Walk and attended Dreamtime at the G to celebrate Indigenous Australia's contri
Community mental health boost
Seventy-nine community mental health services across Australia will share in more than $106 million to continue helping people with mental illness, their families and carers over the next three years.
Funding boost to help vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Hurstville
Front-line community organisations in the electorate of Banks will be able to provide ongoing support to local vulnerable and disadvantaged people with new funding in the 2011-12 Budget.
Labor delivering new stadium in Wandong
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today visited Wandong with local Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell, to confirm the Gillard Labor Government will deliver $2.25 million over the coming year to b
Celebrating National Families Week 2011
The popular Raising Children website has been expanded to provide extra support for parents of teenagers and was today officially launched by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin.
Indigenous Australian woman participates in United Nations Forum
Megan Davis, the first Indigenous Australian women to be elected to the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues today attended her first session of the Forum in New York.
Supporting regional Australia with extra funding for community mental health services
People living in regional and rural Australia will benefit from the Gillard Government's $269.3 million boost for community mental health services, announced in this year's Budget.
Household Assistance Working Group meeting
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, hosted a meeting of the Household Assistance Working Group in Melbourne
Funding boost to help vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians
Front-line community organisations will be able to provide additional support to vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians with a $83.3 million funding boost over four years for emergency relief services announced in the 2011-12 Budget.
Improving Indigenous lives through education and employment
Young Indigenous Australians will be encouraged to stay in school and to make the transition to work, through a $257.6 million investment in education and training.
Extending the Cape York Welfare Reform Trial
The Australian Government is providing $16.1 million to extend and expand the Cape York Welfare Reform trial which is making a real and lasting difference in the lives of Indigenous people living in the Cape.
Investing to close the gap
The Gillard Government is delivering on our commitment to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage with a $526.6 million boost to education, employment and health services for Indigenous Australians.
Delivering National Mental Health Reform
Australians with a mental illness will get the care they need, when they need it, under a $2.2 billion over 5 years reform package for mental health services.
Keeping Australian Seniors Connected
Thousands of older Australians will stay connected to family and friends through free access to broadband internet with continued funding under the Gillard Government’s successful Broadband for Seniors initiative.
Delivering for Senior Australians
In recognition of the important contribution senior Australians make to the community and the economy, the Gillard Government is delivering a range of new initiatives to encourage participation and involvement in community life.
Better start for children with disability
Children with disability affecting their development will have access to intensive early intervention services through the $147 million Better Start for Children with Disability initiative.
New approaches to address disadvantage in targeted communities
The Gillard Government will promote long term economic participation in some of the nation’s most disadvantaged communities.
Supporting Australians with disability into work
The Gillard Government is improving support for Australians with disability to help them into work where possible, while providing an essential safety net for Australians unable to work.
Reforms in the 2011-12 Budget will:
More community-based support for people with mental illness and their families
Around 35,000 Australians with mental illness and their carers will have access to much-needed support with a $269.3 million boost over the next five years to community mental health services.
Funding boost to help vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians
Front-line community organisations will be able to provide additional support to vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians with a $171.9 million funding boost in the 2011-12 Budget.
Supporting Australian families through a sustainable family payment system
The Gillard Government is making important changes to the family payment system to make it fairer and simpler, and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Budget 2011-12 - Getting Australians ready to work
The Gillard Government will create opportunities for more Australians, particularly the disadvantaged, under a major workforce participation package.
Australia’s economy is strong, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the OECD.
Opposition backs away from support for pensioners
Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey has again demonstrated he can’t be trusted to be across the important issues which affect Australians’ lives, with the Opposition backing away from supporting measures to help pensioners.
Help for Australian Families on Lower Incomes
The Gillard Government will deliver more timely tax assistance to 6.5 million Australian taxpayers on lower incomes to help encourage work and provide some modest help with cost of living pressures.
Passing of Lionel Rose
We mourn the passing of Lionel Rose, a remarkable Australian and national hero.
Happy Mothers Day: More Australian Mums benefit from Paid Parental Leave
Australian mums have an additional reason to celebrate this Mothers Day, with more than 48,000 new and expecting parents having applied for Government-funded Paid Parental Leave.
Significant step forward for Indigenous people in the Kimberley
The Australian Government today welcomed the decision by Traditional Owners to vote in favour of signing an agreement with the Western Australian Government and Woodside for a proposal to develop a gas processing precinct at James Price Point.
Australians encouraged to nominate for National Disability Awards
Australians are being encouraged to nominate individuals and organisations that make a positive contribution to the lives of people with disability for the fifth annual National Disability Awards.
Supporting Australia’s volunteers
The Gillard Government is continuing its support of the nation’s volunteers with $16 million worth of grants now available to not-for-profit organisations.
Applications opened today for the Volunteer Grants 2011 initiative.
Australia’s social policy agenda centre stage at OECD
Australia’s reforming social policy agenda will be highlighted at an international meeting in Paris this week.
Community input on household assistance
The Gillard Government has established a working group of community sector leaders to help advise the Government on a generous assistance package for Australian households, under a carbon pricing mechanism.