Jobs are the key to improving opportunities for all Australians. The Government believes more needs to be done to boost Indigenous employment and support Indigenous Australians to get ahead. All Australians yearn to see practical and genuine improvement in the lives of Indigenous people.
To address this, the Government asked Mr Andrew Forrest to undertake a Review of Indigenous Training and Employment Programmes. As part of his review, Mr. Forrest travelled around the country consulting with the public and listening to ideas about how to end the disparity in employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Public submissions were received throughout the review process. Over 300 submissions were made as part of the original consultations. The final report, Creating Parity – the Forrest Review (the Review), was released on 1 August 2014.
The Review contains 27 recommendations that aim to create parity between Indigenous and other Australians. These recommendations are broad - covering pre-natal services and education, through to training and employment services, housing and Indigenous land and the welfare system.
The Government is implementing a progressive roll-out of measures that address the recommendations in whole or in part.
In its initial response to the Review, the Government announced important new measures to boost Indigenous employment and economic development. The measures include reforms to significantly increase the development and growth of Indigenous businesses and employment.
There are other reforms and processes underway that also respond to the Review’s recommendations.