JOBS WITH JUSTICE

DEMAND 3

Create a new Aboriginal employment program to replace Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) that have been gutted through recent reforms and are exploiting Aboriginal workers.

Jobs created must pay at least award wages, with rights to join unions and collectively bargain.

The program must be administered by community based organisations, with development needs and priorities set through broad community consultation.

All willing workers should be employed.

References

Funding the Jobs Gap:

A proposal for a new Community Employment and Enterprise Development Scheme (CEEDS) for regional and remote Indigenous Australia. By the Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory (APO(NT))1 December 2010

http://www.clc.org.au/Media/papers/CEEDS_APO_NT_%20Final%20Dec%202010.pdf

Revitalising the Community Development Employment Program in the Northern Territory:

Submission by Jon Altman and Will Sanders from the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR) to an NT Government Review of CDEP in 2008. The submission, focusing mainly on CAEPR research findings produced since 1990, provides evidence-based research findings that the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) scheme is an important and beneficial program for Northern Territory Aboriginal communities and individuals.

http://caepr.anu.edu.au/Publications/topical/2008TI5.php

Jobs with Justice website:

A union and community campaign against cuts to CDEP and for investment in Aboriginal jobs. Includes videos and media documenting the experiences of Aboriginal people working for the 'BasicsCard'. Also includes detail about the use of CDEP workers on the $672 million SIHIP program and current demands for backpay.

https://www.jobswithjustice.wordpress.com

Working for the BasicsCard in the Northern Territory:

Briefing paper by Paddy Gibson from the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning on the impact of reforms to CDEP in the NT. Includes case studies of 'BasicsCard workers'.

http://www.jumbunna.uts.edu.au/pdfs/JIHLBP12.pdf

Rudd overpromised on Indigenous unemployment:

Jon Alman and Dr Nicholas Biddle outline the increase in Indigenous employment rates across Australia since reforms to CDEP.

http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/06/04/closing-the-gap-rudd-overpromised-on-indigenous-unemployment/

Saving and Strengthening CDEP: A remote Australia policy treasure:

Online recorded lecture by Will Sanders of CAEPR.

http://caepr.anu.edu.au/Seminars/08/Seminar-Topics%E2%80%94Series-2/13_8_Seminar.php

The Untimely Abolition of the Community Development Employment Program:

Submission by Jon Altman and Kirrily Jordan. Examines the serious potential consequences of abolishing CDEP as currently formulated in non-remote areas by July 2009 and remote areas by July 2011.

http://caepr.anu.edu.au/Publications/topical/2009TI5.php

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