OUTSTATION SERVICES Future Funding 07/10/15. Overview Background Types of Funding Who is funded Recent Changes - Commonwealth/NTG agreement Future Loss.

OUTSTATION SERVICESFuture Funding

07/10/15

Overview

• Background

• Types of Funding

• Who is funded

• Recent Changes - Commonwealth/NTG agreement

• Future Loss of NT Jobs Funding

• What Next – Your Comments

Background

In 2012/13 funding for Outstations/Homelands and Town Camps underwent some significant changes:

• Introduction of the Municipal and Essential Services Implementation Plan

• Schedule under the National Partnership Agreement on Stronger Futures in the NT

Background (cont’d)

• Commonwealth agrees to fund $206 million over ten years and NTG agree to contribute $40 million over same period

• June 2013 Commonwealth and NTG signed Schedule G.

Background (cont’d)

• Introduction of 3 year funding agreements between the NTG and Service Providers.

• Homelands Extra Allowance (HEA) - Introduced by the NTG $14 million over four years.

• NT Jobs Package Funding Continues at $5 million per annum

Types of Funding

MES/HMS• Primarily for the delivery of Municipal and

Essential Services including Housing Maintenance Services to eligible Outstations/Homelands

MES/SPG• Special Purpose Grants are applied for by Service

Providers to improve Municipal and Essential Service infrastructure

Types of Funding (cont’d)

HEA• 4 year program that provides an additional $5,200 pa per

eligible dwelling

• To assist with improving housing infrastructure and applied for by the Outstation resident.

NT Jobs Package• Commonwealth Government funding provided for the

employment of indigenous people in the provision of Outstation Services. Formerly CDEP Converted Jobs.

Who Is Funded

MES/HMP/SPG

• Total of 33 x Individual Service Providers which includes:

• 6 x Regional Councils

• 27 x Indigenous Organisations and other Service Providers

Who Is Funded (cont’d)

NT Jobs Package Funding

• 138 x Full Time Equivalent - Indigenous Positions

HEA

• 206 Dwellings across 91 x Outstations

Recent Changes – Commonwealth/NTG Agreement

MES/HMS • Commonwealth offered the NTG remainder of

the 7 years funding under Schedule G. of the National Partnership Agreement

• NTG have accepted the remaining $155 million.

Recent Changes – Commonwealth/NTG Agreement (cont’d)

HEA – Ends 2015/16 Financial Year

• Department have stopped accepting HEA applications

NT Jobs Package Funding

• Negotiations for continued funding between the Commonwealth Government and NTG have been unsuccessful to date

Future Loss of NT Jobs Funding

What is the result?

• Six month variation to MES/HMS agreements to 31/12/15 with no commitment to ongoing program funding

• 138 x FTE Indigenous Job losses across the NT

• Reduced capacity of Service Providers to deliver a high level of services to Outstations

Future Loss of NT Jobs Funding (cont’d)

What is the result?

• The shifting of service delivery costs to Outstation Service Providers

• Funding is rumoured to be diverted to RJCP/CDP program

• Indigenous employees slip back into welfare dependency

What Next – Your Comments

Recommendation

LGANT as the peak body for Local Government work with the DLGCS and write to Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous Affairs on behalf of the Regional Councils lobbying for the continued NT Jobs Package funding.

Your Comments/Suggestions?

Thank youwww.macdonnell.nt.gov.au