The Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) began in the late 1970’s with senior elders at Barunga, in the NT, expressing their concerns at the negative impacts on young people gaining access to unemployment benefits (“sit-down money”) for the first time. Those elders wanted a program that would require people to work for their payments and be a stepping stone to jobs.
Prior to 1 July 2007, there were approximately 8,000 people in the NT participating in the Community Development Employment Program.
While outcomes were variable, this program provided an opportunity for individuals to develop work skills, and communities to be supported with services that may not otherwise have been provided.
Following the intervention announced on 21 June 2007, the previous Australian Government proceeded to progressively close down CDEP throughout the Northern Territory with the stated aim of permitting income management.
The new Australian Government suspended the unfinished program of CDEP closures and announced it will reform and replace CDEP with an improved version. On April 30 the Australian Government announced that it will reinstate those CDEP’s closed by the former government and continue with the CDEP program in its current form until new measures are put in place in July 2009.
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Jenny Macklin MP invited the Northern Territory Government to provide views on what a new CDEP scheme should look like.
In March 2008 the Northern Territory Government released a Discussion Paper to assist communities, individuals and interested stakeholders to have input into this process. Submissions closed on 22 April 2008.
The Northern Territory Government is currently considering these submissions as part of its ongoing policy formulation on CDEP.
Closing the Gap is the Northern Territory’s Indigenous generational plan of action, aimed at closing the gap in outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Territorians. It contains a vision and objectives for the future socio-economic wellbeing of Indigenous Territorians and sets ambitious but achievable targets for the next 5, 10 and 20 years. It also identifies areas for action in the next 5 years, based on the best available evidence of which actions will be most effective in closing the gap.
The Northern Territory Government has committed $286.43 million towards 5 year actions to implement Closing the Gap.
Closing the Gap website
Australian Government National Emergency Response website
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Agenda for Action
Agenda for Action is a whole-of-government policy that sets out the Northern Territory Government’s Indigenous Affairs priorities during the current term of office (2005 - 2009). It reflects the Government's conviction that a positive, coherent Indigenous Affairs agenda strengthens the economy, creates jobs, and enhances the well-being of all Territorians. For printed copies of Agenda for Action contact the Office of Indigenous Policy, telephone: (08) 8999 5270.
Overarching Agreement on Indigenous Affairs between The Commonwealth of Australia and The Northern Territory of Australia, April 2005
The Northern Territory Government is committed to working with the Australian Government consistent with the priorities identified in the Overarching Agreement on Indigenous Affairs to ensure the best possible outcomes for Indigenous Territorians.
For information on Australian Government Indigenous policies visit the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).