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The prime minister says a newly established ‘economic partnership’ between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations will deliver ‘economic sovereignty’ to First Nations communities.
Due to appear at Garma festival on Saturday, Anthony Albanese is expected to say the new partnership between the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance, the Coalition of Peaks and the government recognises that Indigenous people are ‘economic beings’.
“We want to build on this strength,” a copy of the prime minister’s speech says.
“Our Government also wants to work with communities as economic decision-makers, to unlock the true potential of their land and their endeavour.”
The plan, Mr Albanese will say, accords with the Closing the Gap principle of shared decision making.
Garma, the annual festival of ideas, politics and community, is held by the Yothu Yindi foundation on Gumatj Country, at the sacred site of Gulkula.
The organisation’s namesakes Yothu Yindi, the famed band who sang of ‘Treaty’ with First Nations peoples, will perform on Saturday evening after Mr Albanese’s speech.
Millions in funding for clean energy projects, mobile TAFE
Millions of dollars in new funding for First Nations communities will be announced in the speech.
$70 million will go towards establishing clean energy projects.
“This is about renewable energy generating good jobs in regional and remote Australia,” reads the prime minister’s speech.
“And making sure that people in some of the sunniest places on this continent don’t have to rely on diesel generators to light and power their homes.”
There is also funding – and changes – slated for Native Title Organisations.
As the new economic partnership’s first order of business, the funding model for Prescribed Bodies Corporate, the managing bodies for the rights and interests of native title groups, will be overhauled.
Addtionally, $75 million will be committed to help Native Title holders “secure better deals [and] drive faster approvals” for projects.
“We must end the stalemate that arises when Native Title Organisations with little in the way of back of house, or legal and commercial expertise are expected to negotiate with multinational firms,” Mr Albanese will say.
The prime minister will also spruik a multi-million dollar investment in ‘mobile TAFE’ initiative.
Some 40,000 First Nations people have enrolled in free TAFE across the country.
$31 million will go towards getting TAFE teachers on the road, delivering skills training in partnership with community-controlled organisations.
“So that instead of communities relying on drive-in, drive-out workers to build and maintain the new homes … or to deliver vital health care … locals get that training.”
