News Archive

Western Australia's Indigenous Affairs Minister has told The University of Western Australia's Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference the best educational outcomes for Indigenous students come as a result of collaboration between both government and the private sector, and between various government departments.

In his address, Indigenous Affairs Minister Peter Collier highlighted the State Government's achievements in developing a more holistic education and training approach for Indigenous people

"If you do look at it in a generic, holistic sense, government is working to ensure that the policy network across government is uniform... You have a wealth of energy and expertise that exists... and you don't have this silo effect which has existed in the past," he told conference delegates.

"There's an innate desire on the part of the private sector to work hand in hand with government."

Mr Collier emphasised the need to focus on improving Indigenous literacy and numeracy skills, as well as helping Indigenous people become job-ready.

He said the State Government had invested in five Workforce Development Centres, mentoring programs (delivered in partnership with not-for-profit organisations), the ‘Training together - working together' program, 28 specialist Indigenous kindergartens, partnerships between schools and communities such as PALS, and capacity building programs.

"From an educational perspective, there has been a noticeable improvement in NAPLAN testing. That is a significant issue in terms of closing the gap," he said.

Mr Collier hit out at "biased" media outlets which he said concentrate on negative Indigenous issues, swaying public opinion against economic assistance for Indigenous people.

"As Indigenous Affairs Minister, I'm often in despair that the media do not see the wood for the trees," Mr Collier said.

"It would be really, really good if you [the media] could perhaps start providing some more positive stories, positive recollections of what is actually being done out there in the real world for people."

The Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference, convened by the Centre for Social Impact at the UWA Business School , was held in December 2012.

Media references

Verity Chia (UWA Business School)  (+61 8) 6488 1346
Tammy Solonec (Indigenous Media Consultant)  (+61 4) 57 877 308
Fiona Allan (Conference Manager)  (+61 4) 08 645 634