- 2023-24 State Budget includes increased investment to improve Aboriginal wellbeing
- Significant new funding to build the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector
- McGowan Government committed to investing in initiatives that support Aboriginal cultures and heritage
The McGowan Government has committed $281.5 million to strengthen services that support empowerment, self-determination and wellbeing for Aboriginal people.
The 2023-24 State Budget outlines the State Government's ongoing work to meet the Closing the Gap targets, including significant new funding to support the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO) sector and delivery of culturally responsive services.
Funding of $6 million has been allocated to establish Western Australia's ACCO peak body and continue support for the Aboriginal Health Council of WA. This new investment in the ACCO sector will help to ensure culturally responsive and secure service delivery and improve Aboriginal employment opportunities.
The Budget also invests in walking together through the Wadjemup Project, with $27.5 million provided for the development of the Truth Telling and Ceremony Strategy, which includes State-wide consultation and development of the future use strategy and business case for the Quod building, repairs to the Quod building and the memorialisation of the Burial Ground on Rottnest Island (Wadjemup).
Funding has once again been targeted at priority reform areas, which align with the Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, formal partnerships, shared decision making, building the ACCO sector and transforming Government organisations.
Funding to build WA's Aboriginal community-controlled sector includes:
- $6 million to establish an ACCO peak body and continue to support the Aboriginal Health Council of WA;
- $31.1 million over four years to continue the Aboriginal Community Connectors Program;
- $8.3 million to cover operational costs and lifecycle maintenance for the Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation;
- $18.3 million to match Commonwealth funding to support the construction of a new South West Aboriginal Health Hub in Bunbury;
- $387,000 to provide a grant to the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) for key projects, including World Heritage nomination and the Murujuga Rock Art Strategy;
- $11.7 million to support an extension to the trial period for all Target 120 sites to June 2025;
- $1.4 million additional funding to support a one-year extension of Koort Boodja accommodation and wrap-around case management support to June 2024;
- $1.1 million to provide operational funding to Reconciliation WA to establish its position as a professional peak organisation and progress the reconciliation movement in WA;
- $400,000 to coordinate the protection of at-risk cultural heritage sites in collaboration with the respective Native Title Prescribed Bodies Corporate;
- $2 million from the New Industries Fund to support female and Indigenous entrepreneurs in the innovation sector; and
- $4.4 million to support negotiations and management of native title issues.
Formal partnerships and shared-decision making:
- $2.2 million for the Connecting to Country Program providing capped grants of $25,000 to Aboriginal organisations across WA aimed at strengthening the connections between Aboriginal people, their communities, country and culture;
- $673,000 to complete stage one of the Bidyadanga Land Activation Project;
- $1.9 million to facilitate the development of an Aboriginal-led West Kimberley climate change adaptation strategy;
- $11.8 million for the Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy, including piloting an Immediate Response Safe Space initiative in Broome; and
- $524,000 to initiate projects that protect, preserve or strengthen significant Noongar heritage places.
Other investments focus on improving social and economic outcomes:
- an additional $42.6 million over four years for the Essential and Municipal Services Upgrade for Aboriginal Remote Communities;
- $77 million in ongoing operational costs associated with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act and funding for Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services to better protect Aboriginal heritage sites and support engagement with Traditional Owners;
- $5.4 million to continue psychiatric services in the East Kimberley to support the wellbeing of Aboriginal youth;
- $5.8 million for additional Aboriginal Mental Health Workers (10 FTE) to support Aboriginal children and families to access and engage with Infant, Child and Adolescent mental health services;
- $1.6 million to extend the existing Aboriginal jobseekers Employment and Training Support pilot, for groups experiencing barriers to employment and training; and
- $2.3 million to seal the Warmun airstrip to provide for all weather landing conditions and improve safety for aircraft.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"My Government continues to invest in a range of initiatives to make tangible improvements to the lives of Aboriginal people across WA.
"There is new funding in this Budget to build the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector to boost Aboriginal employment opportunities and ensure culturally responsive service delivery.
"We are also investing in Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services to support the State's new legislative framework for the protection and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
"These significant new investments are part of the State Government's ongoing commitment to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, Aboriginal empowerment and supporting Aboriginal cultures and wellbeing."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
"This year's State Budget highlights the McGowan Government's commitment to supporting and strengthening the ACCO sector to deliver culturally responsive services.
"We are continuing to invest in a range of economic, social and community initiatives to meet our commitments and targets through WA's Closing the Gap Implementation Plan.
"The 2023-24 Budget reflects a whole-of-government approach to Aboriginal Affairs, and the McGowan Government's continued commitment to working in partnership with Aboriginal Western Australians."
