Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010–11 · 31 January 2011. This is particularly...

Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report

2010–11

Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11

1 Foreword

3 Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report

5 The 2010–11 year in review

5 The Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework in 2010-11

7 Key actions announced by the Premier in March 2011

11 The Council of Australian Governments’ National Indigenous Reform Agreement

13 The year ahead in Indigenous Affairs in Victoria

17 Appendix 1 Strategic Area for Action 1 Improve Maternal and Early Childhood Health and Development

26 Strategic Area for Action 2 Improve education outcomes

36 Strategic Area for Action 3 Improve economic development, settle native title claims and address land access issues

43 Strategic Area for Action 4 Improve health and wellbeing

50 Strategic Area for Action 5 Build Indigenous capacity

54 Strategic Area for Action 6 Prevent family violence and improve justice outcomes

65 Acronyms

Contents

Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 1

I am pleased to present the Victorian Government’s Indigenous Affairs Report 2010–11. The Victorian Government is committed to continuing the release of an annual report in the interests of transparency and accountability.

Highlights of our first seven months in Government included:

• TheinitiationoftheProtectingVictoria’sVulnerable Children Inquiry by the Premier,theHon.TedBaillieu,on31 January 2011. This is particularly important for Indigenous families and children given the high level of over representation of Indigenous children in the child protection system.

• ThePremierrecommittingVictoria’sparticipation in the National Indigenous Reform Agreement at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in February 2011.

• Signinga‘StatementofIntent’toclosethe gap in outcomes for Indigenous peoplebythePremierinQueen’sHalloftheVictorianParliamentonNational Close the Gap Day in March 2011.TheDeputyPremierandIwerealso signatories to the bi-partisan Statement,alongwiththeLeaderoftheOpposition,theShadowSpokespersonforAboriginalAffairs,andIndigenousleaders.

• TheinitiationofaParliamentaryInquiryinto the establishment and effectiveness ofRegisteredAboriginalPartiesanda reviewoftheAboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

• ThelaunchofWayaperri,aleadershipandtraininginitiative,attheInstituteof Company Directors in March 2011. WithelevenIndigenousVictorianshaving completed the highly acclaimed Company Director’s course in 2010–11 andmoregraduatesexpectedthisyear,this program is proving to be a success.

• IwasproudtoestablishAustralia’sfirstIndigenousHonorRoll.ThePremierlaunched the Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll in May 2011 by presenting thefirsttwonominationsforinduction,SirDouglasNichollsKCVOOBEJPandWilliamBarak.

• Aninvestmentofanadditional$2.2million over four years for governance training initiatives. As of 30 June 2011,575IndigenousVictorianshadparticipated in this program since its commencementin2006and158hadgraduatedwithaCertificateIVinBusiness(Governance).Ofthese,27hadcontinuedontocompletetheDiplomaofBusiness(Governance).

• Reinstatingfundingof$200,000peryearfor four years to Reconciliation Victoria.

• StrengtheningAboriginalOrganisationsthrough an investment of an additional $2.14milliontowardscapacitybuildingof the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations(ACCOs)andtheirworkforces.Thiswillenablethemtoeffectivelydeliverculturallyresponsive,high quality services to Aboriginal children and families.

Importantly,wehavetakenthetimetolistenandlearn.SincebecomingMinisterforAboriginalAffairs,IhavemetwithmanyElders,leadersandcommunitymembers from across Victoria’s Indigenous communitieswhotellmethattheywantquality education for their children and youngpeople,goodjobsforschoolleavers,andstrong,safefamiliesandcommunities. These aspirations are shared by this Government.

There have been some solid achievements in2010–11.VictoriawasthefirstStatetosupportaccesstokindergartenfor3year-old children and the investment is resulting in significantly improved outcomes.

Foreword

Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-112

The number of Indigenous 3 year-old children enrolled inkindergartengrewfrom109in2008to343in2011andthenumberofIndigenous4year-oldchildrenenrollinggrewfrom525in2008to742in2011.Participationinearlychildhoodeducationisassociatedwithincreasedlevelsofschoolcompleted,andenhancedliteracyandsocialskills.

Another achievement to be recognised is that one in every three Indigenous Year 12 leavers in 2010 had enrolled in university for 2011. This is the highest university enrolment rate for Indigenous Year 12 leavers since 2006 and is a very promising trend.

Howeverwecannotbecomplacent.ThisreportalsohighlightswhereVictoriaisbehindnationalaveragesfor Indigenous Australians.

These are:

• Smokingrates.

• SchoolretentionratestoYear10.

• Over-representationinthechildprotectionsystem.

I’m pleased that there have been improvements. Year 10 retention has increased more than 10 percentage pointsfrom2009to2010.

Westillneedtodobetterandaskhardquestionssuchas‘isthefundingprovidingprogramsandservices that best meet the needs of Indigenous Victorians?’,‘whatevidencedowehave?’and‘arethere any changes that need to be made?’.

My ministerial colleagues from across a broad range of portfolios recognise that improving outcomes requires awhole-of-governmenteffort.

Tobreakthecycleofdisadvantage,weneedtostrengthenoureffortsinearlychildhooddevelopment,and education and training in addition to increased economicparticipation.Weneedtomaintaineffortinhealthservicesandcontinuetoimprovejusticeoutcomes.Weneedbothashortandlongtermviewthat supports young people and adults today and ensuresthatthenextgeneration,whoarecurrentlyinearlychildhoodandschool,willhavehealthy,prosperous and economically independent lives.

TheGovernmentwillreleaseastrengthenedVictorianIndigenousAffairsFrameworkin2012.Servicesthatworklinkedtomeasurableoutcomes,accountabilityandmeaningfulengagementwithIndigenouscommunitieswillunderpintheFramework.Economicparticipationwillbethefocusofanintegratedapproachandwillincludeearlychildhooddevelopment,education,trainingandskills.

Arenewedandrevitalisedfocusoneconomicdevelopmentiscriticaltobreakingthecycleofdisadvantage and improving quality of life outcomes. Closingthegapinhealth,educationandhousingoutcomes underpins the ability and capacity of Indigenous Victorians to build a better future. Having ajobandavaluedplaceintheeconomybuildsconfidenceandselfesteem,andcontributestoVictoria’s competitive advantage. More prosperous and economically engaged Indigenous communities willbenefitallVictorians.

To complement the revised Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework,theVictorianGovernmentwillreleaseanIndigenousEconomicParticipationandDevelopmentStrategyin2012.Importantly,thisStrategywillbuildon Moonda Wurrin Gree,the2010reportoftheVictorianAboriginalEconomicDevelopmentGroup.

ArevisedapproachtoIndigenousAffairswillfosterajoinedupapproachbetweenthevarioussectors.Partnershipsbetweengovernment,community,businessandphilanthropicsectorswillmakemoreeffective use of resources and expertise.

TheCommonwealthGovernmentcontinuestoplayakeyroleinsupportingIndigenousVictoriansand I am very pleased that through the Council of AustralianGovernments’theCommonwealthandVictorianGovernments’areworkingcloselyonprojectstosupportimprovedeconomicparticipationand development. The Victorian Government hasconsistentlycalledfortheCommonwealthGovernment to place a much higher priority on the needs of Indigenous people in urban and regional areas,specificallyintheareasofhealth,housingandemployment.

ClosingthegapbetweenIndigenousand non-Indigenous Victorians is a long term commitment. Targeted and strategic actions can deliver results in boththeshort,mediumandlongterms.Forexample,currentimprovementsinkindergartenparticipationwillprovide life long benefits.

Ilookforwardtoaproductiveyearaheadwhichwillsetthedirectionsandlaydownthefoundationsforlasting change and improvements for all Indigenous Victorians.

Jeanette Powell MP Minister for Aboriginal Affairs

Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 3

TheplacenowknownasVictoriahasbeenhome to more than 30 Indigenous cultural groups for tens of thousands of years. It isestimatedthatwhentheEuropeansfirstarrivedsome200yearsago,thetraditionaleconomies of Indigenous nations across Victoriasustainedmorethan60,000people.

Victoria today is founded on complex Indigenous societies characterised by sharedkinship,language,law,stories,songs and spiritual beliefs through connectiontocountry.EarlyEuropeanroutesfollowedancienttraditionalsonglinesandtraderoutes,whichwerelaterformalisedasroadandrailnetworks.

IndigenousVictoriansmakeavaluablecontributiontooureconomyasemployees,businessownersandmanagersacrossabroadrangeofindustriessuchasmedia,sport,lawandhealth.TheIndigenouspopulationisyoungandgrowingincomparison to the non-Indigenous population(whichisageingwithpopulationgrowthslowing)and,overtime,therewillbe increasing economic opportunities for skilledIndigenousVictorians.

The social and economic circumstances of many Indigenous families in Victoria are unacceptable. Indigenous Victorians are morelikelytobeinvolvedinthejusticesystem,beadmittedtohospital,andsuffer chronic illness and health problems. Theyarelesslikelytofinishschool,attenduniversityandhaveasustainablejob.Ultimately,IndigenousVictoriansaremorelikelytodieyoungerthannon-IndigenousVictorians.

This is the legacy of a dramatic and traumatic disruption to Indigenous societies that involved the forced dispossession of land,movementfromcountry,relocationtomissions,andtheremovalofchildrenfrom their families. Indigenous people are impactedmorebytheStolenGenerationsin Victoria than in other states and territories.Today,manyfamiliesaredealingwithintergenerationalgriefwhichimpactsupon children’s ability to learn at school and to go on to participate fully in the economy.

Ahealthyandsecurestarttolife,andsupporttolearn,workanddevelopeconomicindependencearekeystobreakingthecycleofdisadvantage.WhilethiscannotreplacethelossexperiencedbyIndigenouspeople,economic independence brings increased opportunity,choiceandtheabilitytocreatepositive change.

Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010–11

Indigenous Victorians occupy an important place as the original inhabitants and custodians of the land

Disadvantage is limiting the aspirations, achievements and contribution of Indigenous Victorians


According to the 2006 Australian Census,therewereapproximately33,500IndigenouspeoplelivinginVictoria(0.65%ofthetotalpopulation).AustralianDemographicStatistics(ABSCAT.no.3101.0)suggestthatthereareapproximately37,600Indigenouspeoplein Victoria as of 2011.

In2010-11,theannualgrowthratefortheVictorianIndigenouspopulationwasprojectedtobearound2.4%.ThisisincontrasttothegrowthrateforVictoriaasawholewhichhasaveragedaround1.8%since2005-06.

By2021,theIndigenouspopulationinVictoriaisprojectedtorise30%to47,700people.

The Indigenous population is much younger than the non-Indigenous population:

• Asof2011theestimatedmedianages for Indigenous and non-Indigenouspopulationswere 22.1yearsand37.1yearsrespectively.

• Accordingtothe2006Census,56%ofIndigenousVictorianswereundertheageof25years(comparedto31%ofthenon-Indigenouspopulation).

The life expectancy for Indigenous Australians is much shorter than non-Indigenous Australians:

• ThelifeexpectancyforIndigenousmenis67yearsversus79yearsfornon-Indigenous men.

• ThelifeexpectancyforIndigenouswomenis73yearsversus83yearsfornon-Indigenouswomen.

Box 1: Victoria’s Indigenous population at a glance

SuccessiveVictorianGovernmentshave reported annually on progress in IndigenousAffairsandwearecontinuingthis commitment. This report focuses on areas of strategic priority including:

• The Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework 2010-2013.

• KeyactionsannouncedbythePremierofVictoria,theHon.TedBaillieuinMarch2011.

• TheCouncilofAustralianGovernments’National Indigenous Reform Agreement.

It also describes the direction of the Government in the year ahead.

This report does not cover all action being takenacrosstheVictorianGovernmentin relation to Indigenous Affairs. Rather it concentratesonareasthatwillhavethegreatestimpactonbreakingthecycleofdisadvantage experienced by Indigenous Victorians.

The structure and content of the 2010–11reportreflectstransitionbetweenthe current and previous Governments as wellasalignmenttothenationalCouncilofAustralian Governments agenda. A revised and strengthened Victorian Indigenous AffairsFramework,tobeannouncedin2012,islikelytoresultinchangestotheformat of this report in future years.

Continuing the commitment to accountability and transparency

Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 5Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11

The 2010–11 year in review

ProgressagainsttheVictorianIndigenousAffairsFrameworkismixed,butclosingthegapisnotashorttermtaskthatcandeliver rapid change. The solutions are long term because change needs to comefromalllevelsofgovernment,andtheprivate,philanthropicandcommunitysectorsworkingcloselywithindividuals,familiesandcommunities(bothIndigenousandnon-Indigenous).

Measures to improve outcomes are often interrelatedandrequirejoined-upandalignedaction,whichischallengingacrossdifferent levels of government and other sectors.

The Victorian Indigenous Affairs FrameworkincludesasetofStrategicIndicatorsforwhichdataistracked.

ThedataforallStrategicIndicatorsisprovidedinAppendix1.Overall,thedataindicates that there is still much to be done but in terms of the timeframe and complexityofthetask,wearestillintheearly stages of implementing improvement measures.

Therehavebeenpositiveimprovements,areasoflittlechangeandareasofgrowingconcern.

Areasofpositiveimprovementareshownin Table 1. The improvements in early childhood(kindergartenandmaternalandchildhealthservicesparticipation)areparticularly encouraging. Good outcomes in early childhood lay the foundation for future learning and successful and productivelives.Theflow-oneffectofcontinued improvement in early childhood outcomeswillbeseenineducationaloutcomes in the years ahead.

The Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework in 2010–11


Table 1: Areas of positive improvement for 2010–11

Indicator Result

1.4:Indigenous3and4year-oldkindergartenparticipation

ThenumberofIndigenous3and4year-oldchildrenenrolledinkindergartengrewfrom109to343,and525to742respectivelybetween2008and2011.

1.6: Indigenous children attending Maternal and Child HealthServicesatkeyagemilestones

Overall Indigenous participation rates are the highesttheyhavebeensince2006forallkeyagestagesupto3.5years.

2.2: Improved literacy and numeracyinYears3,5,7,and9

Year7reading,andYear5andYear7numeracy improved over three consecutive yearsfrom2008to2010.

2.3: Improve transition to Year 10 The apparent retention rates for students inYear7to10improvedby10percentagepointsfrom2009to2010,butisstillbelowthe national average.

2.4:IncreasecompletionforYear12 or equivalent qualifications

The number of Year 12 or equivalent completions in the school sector continued togrowto257whichisthehighestnumberever.

3.4:Accesstotraditionallands ThetotalareacoveredbyIndigenousLandUseAgreementsincreasedby17percentfrom2009–10.

6.2: Repeat police call outs for Indigenous family violence incidents

TheproportionofrepeatcalloutswherechargeswerelaidwasthesameforIndigenous and non-Indigenous people in 2010–11.

6.4:Indigenousyoungpeopleaged10–17yearscautionedwhenprocessedbypolice

The gap in the proportion of young Indigenous and non-Indigenous people cautioned by police has continued to decreasesince2005–06.


On24March2011thePremier,theHon.TedBaillieu,recommittedtheVictorianGovernmenttotheClosingtheGapagenda.AlongwiththeDeputyPremier,MinisterforAboriginalAffairs,LeaderoftheOpposition,theShadowSpokespersonforAboriginalAffairs,Indigenousleadersandothers,thePremiersignedtheClosingtheGapStatementofIntentatParliamentHouse.InhisspeechthePremieroutlinedfourguidingprinciplestoinformtheGovernment’sAboriginalAffairspolicyintentionsanddelivery(refertoBox2).

The Premier highlighted three areas where Victoria is behind the national average for Indigenous Australians and needs to do better. These are:

• Over-representationinthechildprotection system.

• SchoolretentionratestoYear10.

• Smokingrates.

Aspirations

All Victorians should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The Government is committed to closingthegapinhealth,educationandhousingoutcomes,whichunderpinthe ability and capacity of Indigenous Victorians to build a better future.

Accountability

BoththeGovernmentandfundedorganisations must be accountable for delivering services that meet the needs of communities. Good policy and program delivery must be based onevidence,andoutcomesmustbereported.

Engagement and Inclusiveness

Closing the gap can only be achieved through a partnership built on genuine engagementwithIndigenouspeopleand organisations across Victoria. The Government recognises that it is important to listen to both local communityvoicesandtheviewsofIndigenous organisations and their representative bodies.

Partnership building and a whole of community approach

Arenewedcommitmentforallsectors-government,community,businessandphilanthropic-toworktogetherinpartnership,sothatresourcesandexpertise can be most effectively harnessed.

Box 2: The Premier’s Guiding Principles for Aboriginal Affairs

Key actions announced by the Premier in March 2011


Over-representation in the child protection systemChild protection substantiations for Indigenous children rosein2010-11.Atarateof9.4timeshigherthanfornon-Indigenouschildren,itisunacceptablyhigh.FurtherdataisprovidedatStrategicIndicator1.5inAppendix 1.

The Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry, launchedbythePremieron31January2011reportedtotheGovernmentinearly2012.TheGovernmentwillcarefully consider the findings and recommendations of the report. The Government’s response in relation to vulnerableIndigenouschildrenwillbeincludedinthe2011–12 annual report.

School retention ratesIn 2010 the apparent retention rate for Indigenous studentsinYears7to10was90.7percentcomparedwith80.4percentinthepreviousyear.Thisisanimprovement of over 10 percentage points in the apparentrate,reflectingpositivelyontheworkofschools,students,familiesandcommunities.Thechallenge is to retain and build on this improvement. FurtherinformationisprovidedatStrategicIndicator2.3 in Appendix 1.

Smoking ratesItisclearfromallsurveysthattheIndigenoussmokingrate is higher than the non-Indigenous rate and that smokingcessationefforthashadlimitedimpactonIndigenoussmokingratestodate.OnepriorityundertheNationalPartnershipAgreementonClosingtheGapinIndigenousHealthOutcomesistacklingsmoking.TheVictorianGovernmentwillcontinuetoworkcloselywiththeCommonwealthGovernmentandIndigenous communities to help drive improvement. FurtherinformationisprovidedatStrategicIndicator4.1inAppendix1.

The Premier also outlined actions important to delivering the Government’s agenda for Indigenous Affairs. These included:

• ThedevelopmentofDepartmentalActionPlans.

• StrengtheningtheVictorian Indigenous Affairs Framework.

• ReleasingtheIndigenousAffairsannualreport.

Significantprogresshasbeenmadeinthesethreeareas.

Departmental Action Plans to improve access to servicesInMarch2011,thePremierdirectedthatallVictoriandepartments prepare Reconciliation Action or Inclusion Plansthatdemonstratehowtheywillimproveaccess to and inclusion in mainstream services for IndigenousVictorians.Inthefewmonthssincethatdirection some departments have already made significant progress in developing their plans. Others are building on their Indigenous employment plans under KarreetaYirramboi: the Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015 for the further development of DepartmentalActionPlans.

KarreetaYirramboi: the Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015 provides direction on strategies and actions to meet the Victorian Government’s target(committedundertheCouncilofAustralianGovernments’NationalPartnershiponIndigenousEconomicParticipation)ofonepercentoftheVictorianpublicsectorbeingIndigenousby2015.Ongoingrecruitment and retention of Indigenous people into theVictorianpublicservicewillneedtoconsidertheimpacts of changing fiscal circumstances.


Table 2: Progress of Indigenous Action Plans and Employment Plans

ThestatusofprogressbyVictoriandepartmentsasat30June2011isprovidedinTable2below.

Department of BusinessandInnovation(DBI)

• TheDBIAboriginalEmploymentPlanwasatfinaldraftstageasof30June2011and is on target for its launch in 2011–12.

• WorkontheDBIAboriginalInclusionActionPlanhadcommenced.

Department of EducationandEarlyChildhoodDevelopment (DEECD)

• DEECDdevelopedanInterimAboriginalEmploymentPlaninresponsetoKarreeta Yirramboi: Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015.

• DEECDhadmadesignificantprogressindevelopingitsfirstAboriginalInclusionActionPlan.AsignificantrangeofissuespertinenttoIndigenousemploymentandcareerdevelopmentwerecapturedthroughtheplan’sdevelopmentandthesewillnowbereflectedintheDEECDAboriginalEmploymentPlan.

Department of Health(DH)

• DHrespondedtoKarreeta Yirramboi: Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015 through its Aboriginal Recruitment and Retention Strategy 2010–2013 and the Closing the Health Gap, Aboriginal Health Workforce Plan, June 2013.

• DHcontinuedtoprogressitscommitmenttoanAboriginalInclusionPlanthroughtheimplementationofkeystrategies:theAboriginal Recruitment and Retention Strategy 2010–2013(inpartnershipwithDHS);andtheReconciliationActionPlan(RAP)2011–12bothinpartnershipwithDHS.

Department of HumanServices(DHS)

• DHS,inpartnershipwithDH,continuedtoimplementtheinauguralDHSandDHReconciliationActionPlan(RAP)2011–12andtheDHS/DHAboriginal Recruitment and Retention Strategy 2012–13. TheDHS/DHRAP2011–12continues the departments’ commitment to reconciliation.

• TheDHS Aboriginal Strategic Framework 2012–14(currentlybeingfinalised)encouragesconsistencyinhowthedepartmentworksinpartnershipwithAboriginalorganisationsandclients,aswellasidentifiesprioritiesandkeydeliverables to support improved outcomes for Aboriginal people. These commitmentsformthefoundationofDHScommitmenttoAboriginalinclusionanditsAboriginalInclusionActionPlanStatement.

Department of Justice(DoJ)

• DoJ’scomprehensiveKoori Employment Strategy 2011–2015 continued todeliveremploymentforIndigenousVictorianswithanincreasefromfourIndigenousemployeesin2000to108(selfidentified)byJune2011acrossbothIndigenous-specific and non-Indigenous roles.

• DoJhadcommencedpreliminaryworkinthedevelopmentofitsKooriInclusionPlan.TheplanwillbuildonthefoundationsandtheprinciplesoftheAboriginalJustice Agreement and support the delivery of the Koori Employment Strategy 2011–2015.

Department of PlanningandCommunity Development (DPCD)

• TheimplementationoftheDPCD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Employment Strategy,launchedinNovember2010,continuedwithafocuson learning and development for Indigenous staff and the creation of an active employeenetwork.

• ThedevelopmentoftheDPCDAboriginalActionPlanhadcommenced.

Department Status of plans as at 30 June 2011



Department of PremierandCabinet(DPC)

• DPCisdevelopinganIndigenousemploymentstrategywhichincludesrecruitment,selectionandretentionprocessestoincreaseAboriginalparticipationintheworkforceandsupportsthegoalofKarreetaYirramboi.PreliminaryworkhascommencedintheestablishmentoftheDiversityandInclusionStrategywhichwillfosteraworkforcethatisopentodiversityandwillraiseculturalawareness.ThisStrategywillsupportthedeliveryoftheIndigenousEmploymentStrategyinDPC.

• DPCwillcontinuetoprogressitscommitmenttothedevelopmentofanAboriginalInclusionActionPlanwithimplementationanticipatedfor2011–12.

Department of PrimaryIndustries(DPI)

• DPIhadcommenceddevelopmentofanAboriginalEmploymentPlanandwithimplementation planned for 2011–12.

• DPIhadassessedtherequirementsintheAboriginalInclusionActionPlanguidelinesandpreparedafinaldraftofitsAboriginalActionPlanforexecutiveendorsement.

Department of SustainabilityandEnvironment(DSE)

• DSE’s Indigenous Partnership Framework 2007–2010wasreviewedin2011.RecommendationsarisingfromthereviewwerereceivedinJuly2011.TheyarecurrentlybeingconsideredandwillinfluenceandbefactoredintothedevelopmentoftheDepartment’sActionPlan.

Department of Transport(DoT)

• DoThaddraftedbothanAboriginalActionPlanandanAboriginalEmploymentStrategytoalignwithanddeliveronthefivekeyareasoutlinedwithinKarreeta Yirramboi: Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015. These plans are on target to be launched in August 2011.

Department of Treasury and Finance(DTF)

• DTFhadlaunchedtheirIndigenousEmploymentStrategyaspartofthewiderKarreeta Yirramboi: Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015.TheStrategyincludesactionsagainstthefivekeyareasoutlinedwithintheKarreetaYirramboiinitiative.

• DTFcommenceddiscussionswithregardstotherequirementsfortheDepartment’sInclusionActionPlanandtheapplicationofthesewithinDTF.

Strengthening of the Victorian Indigenous Affairs FrameworkThe Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework 2010–13 (VIAF)wasfirstdevelopedin2006toprovidealongterm,whole-of-government,intergenerationalstrategyaimedatclosingthegapbetweenIndigenousand non-Indigenous Victorians. In March 2011 the PremiercommittedtostrengtheningtheVIAF.TheSecretaries’LeadershipGrouponAboriginalAffairshascommencedthetaskofreviewingandrevisingtheframeworktoaddressshortfallsandimproveoutcomesinlinewiththeGovernment’sguidingprinciplesforAboriginalAffairs(seeBox2).

Thisworkwillbefinalisedin2012andtherevisedframeworkwillinfluencethereleaseofthe2011–12annual report.

The release of the Indigenous Affairs annual reportAsstatedbythePremierwhenrecommittingtotheClosingtheGapagendatheGovernmentwillcontinueto release an annual Indigenous Affairs Report that provides information on performance.


VictoriaisapartytotheNationalIndigenousReformAgreement(NIRA)whichsetsoutthenationallyagreedpolicyprinciples,objectivesandperformanceindicatorsunderpinning Closing the Gap. The six goals incorporated into the NIRA are to:

• Closethelifeexpectancygapwithinageneration.

• HalvethegapinmortalityratesforIndigenouschildrenunderfivewithinadecade.

• EnsureallIndigenousfouryear-oldsinremote communities have access to earlychildhoodeducationwithinfiveyears.

• HalvethegapforIndigenousstudentsinreading,writingandnumeracywithinadecade.

• HalvethegapforIndigenouspeopleaged20-24inYear12attainmentorequivalent attainment rates by 2020.

• HalvethegapinemploymentoutcomesbetweenIndigenousandnon-IndigenousAustralianswithinadecade.

The Council of Australian Governments’ National Indigenous Reform Agreement

There are Indigenous-specific COAG NationalPartnershipssignedbytheCommonwealthandVictorianGovernments relevant to the achievement of the Closing the Gap goals.

• NationalPartnershipAgreementonClosing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes

• NationalPartnershipAgreementonIndigenousEarlyChildhoodDevelopment

• NationalPartnershipAgreementonIndigenousEconomicParticipation

• NationalUrbanandRegionalServiceDeliveryStrategyforIndigenousAustralians

• NationalPartnershipAgreementonRemote Indigenous Housing

Implementation responsibility for National AgreementsandPartnershipsiswithrelevant departments and agencies.

OthermajornationalAgreementshavebeen made in the areas of education andyouthtransitions,affordableandsocialhousing,workforcedevelopment,disability,healthandpreventativehealth,homelessness,andearlychildhooddevelopment. These agreements also contributetoclosingthegapsbetweenIndigenous and non-Indigenous Victorians.

Box 3: COAG Indigenous Specific National Partnerships


InFebruary2011,theCouncilofAustralianGovernments(COAG)declaredthatdeliveryofIndigenousreformwasoneoffive national priorities for governments.WhilethesocialandeconomicgapsbetweenIndigenousandnon-IndigenousVictoriansaresignificant,IndigenousVictorians experience better outcomes under many measures than is the case forotherIndigenousAustralians(thisisdocumented in the reports of the COAG ReformCouncilaswellasothernationalresearch compilations of outcomes such as the Report on Government Services1).Victoria’s economic and social strengths positionuswelltoclosetheunacceptablegaps that exist today.

InVictoria,theNIRAisdeliveredthroughanOverarchingBilateralIndigenousPlan(OBIP).ThePlancommitsbothgovernments to strive to close the gaps through both delivery of their separate program responsibilities and through bettercoordinationofeffort.TheOBIPincorporates Victorian Government policypositions(includingtheVictorianIndigenousAffairsFrameworkinitsentirety).

The NIRA itself does not include financial commitments. These are left to investments made under other COAG NationalAgreements,whereClosingtheGap is a priority and Indigenous specific NationalPartnerships(seeBox3).TheseNationalPartnershipsarealignedwithorareconsistentwithVictorianGovernmentpriorities.

EachoftheNationalPartnershipsisontrackandsignificantcontributionscontinueto be made to closing the gaps.

An important schedule to the NIRA is the National Urban and Regional ServiceDeliveryStrategyforIndigenousAustralians.ThisStrategyrecognisesthatmorethan75percentofAustralia’sIndigenous population live in urban and regional locations. In Victoria there are no remotecommunities,withabouthalfofthe Indigenous population living in regional Victoria and half in metropolitan Melbourne. TheStrategycommitsallgovernmentstocoordinate and target the funding provided under mainstream and Indigenous specific NationalPartnershipsandAgreementsto Indigenous disadvantage in urban and regionallocations.ThePremierhasfurther

directed that all Victorian departments develop action plans to improve access to and inclusion by mainstream services beyond those services funded through NationalPartnershipsandAgreements(seeTable2).

One national report to COAG on the NIRA is of particular interest. The 2010 Indigenous Expenditure Report released in 2011 sought to estimate the relative share ofallCommonwealth,state,andterritoryexpenditure attributable to Indigenous Australians.ExpenditureincludedtargetedIndigenousprograms,thecostoftheestimated Indigenous share of mainstream services(suchasschools)andaprorata estimation of all other government expenditureareas(suchasDefenceandForeignAffairs).

This is the first time governments have attempted to attribute government expenditure to any category of Australians. MuchoftheworkreportedintheIndigenousExpenditureReportisstilllargely experimental and needs to be treatedwithgreatcaution.

Victoria’s analysis of the Indigenous ExpenditureReportshowsthatIndigenousVictoriansfarepoorlyinCommonwealthexpenditureareassuchashousing,employment and economic participation whencomparedwiththeCommonwealthattributable expenditure to other IndigenousAustralians.VictoriawillcontinuetoworkwiththeCommonwealthand encourage it to better balance its expenditure priorities in these areas. Thiswillassisteffortstoclosethegaps in Victoria.

1 ParticularlythroughitsIndigenousCompendium.ThisisacompilationofdataforIndigenouspeopledrawnfromthereport.


The revised Victorian Indigenous Affairs Frameworktobereleasedin2012willbuildonexistingstrengthsandtackleareaswheregovernmentperformancecanbe improved.

Itwillincludeastrongerapproachtoaccountability and value for money through improved measuring and reporting on progress against clearly identified outcomes. It is critical that programs deliver results for the Indigenous community and that the right information is collected to support design and delivery of effective program and services responses.

Closing the gap is a long term commitment as intergenerational change cannot happen over night. There can bealongtimebetweeninvestmentsand outcomes. Investments in early childhood may not fully be realised until adulthood.Thismakesitimperativethattherightinitiativesareinplacewithleadingindicators to measure and guide progress.

Improving socio-economic outcomes requires consistent and sustained effort overthe‘lifecourse’.Forexample,astudyin2008bytheNationalCentreforSocialandEconomicModelling(NATSEM)foundthat for Indigenous Victorians:

• Decreasedsmokingbypregnantmothers can add one year to the life of a child.

• Strongerparentingsupportcanreducechild protection rates.

• Indigenousmalesdoubletheirlifetimeearnings if they complete Year 12.

• Aoneyearincreaseineducationcanreduce mortality by eight per cent.

• CompletionofYear12reducestheprobabilitythatanindividualwillhavebeen arrested by up to 20 per cent.

• Poorhealthstatusis1.2timeshigherfor25to34year-oldsand2.1timeshigherfor55to64year-oldswhohavenotcompleted Year 12.

The challenges faced by those experiencing disadvantage are not the sameasthosewhomay,forexample,already be in employment but have greater aspirations.Hence,arevisedframeworkforIndigenousAffairswillneedtotakeaccount of the circumstances of the individualateachstageoflife.Thiswillrequireawhole-of-government,whole-of-communityandawhole-of-lifeapproachso that every Indigenous Victorian has theopportunitytogrowanddevelopandachieve their aspirations.

The year ahead in Indigenous Affairs in Victoria


Indigenous economic participation anddevelopmentwillbeapriorityforthe Victorian Government approach to Indigenous Affairs because every Victorian should have the opportunity to reach their fullpotential.Havingajobandaplaceintheeconomybuildsselfesteem,economicindependence,positiverolemodelsandcontributes to Victoria’s overall competitive advantage.Ahealthyearlychildhood,safecommunity,qualityeducationandtraining,andgoodhealthandwellbeingarecriticalcontributors.

Educationandemploymentmakeaconsiderable positive contribution over anindividual’slifetime.The2008NationalCentreforSocialandEconomicModellingstudy found that:

• ForanIndigenousmaleaged15to19years,thetimelikelytobespentinpaidemploymentovertheworkinglifeincreasesbyover35percentiftheycomplete Year 12. For Indigenous females,thetimeincreasesby 120 per cent.

• IndigenousmaleswhodonotcompleteYear12wouldexpecttoearnlessthanhalfofwhattheywouldearnovertheirworkinglifeiftheycompletedYear12orhad a post-school qualification.

• AnIndigenousfemalewholeavesschoolwithoutcompletingYear12wouldexpecttoearnonlyonethirdofwhatshewouldifshecompletedYear12orhadapost school qualification.

An Indigenous economic participation and development strategy for Victoria

Figure 2: A whole-of-government approach to closing the gap

Improve maternal health and early childhood health and development

Improve economic development and

participation

Improve education outcomes

Prevent family violence and

improve justice outcomes

Build Indigenous capacity

Improve health and wellbeing


Itisclearfromawiderangeofincome,investment and labour force indicators that the gap in economic outcomes betweenIndigenousandnon-IndigenousVictorians is significant. This is despite the State’sstrongoveralleconomyandthebroad range of opportunities available for Victorians to secure employment and have rewardingcareers.

In2010,accordingtotheAustralianBureauofStatistics(ABS)IndigenousVictorians had an unemployment rate of16.3percentcomparedwith5.4percent for the non-Indigenous population. This disparity is even more evident for themalepopulation,withanIndigenousunemploymentrateof25.4percentin2010comparedto5.3percentfor non-Indigenous males.

TheVictorianGovernmentwilldevelopandimplementanIndigenousEconomicParticipationandDevelopmentStrategyaimed at ensuring that Indigenous Victoriansareabletotakeadvantageof the economic opportunities available to all Victorians and achieve enhanced economic prosperity.

VictoriaiswellplacedtoclosethegapinoutcomesbetweenIndigenousandnon-IndigenousAustralianswithinagenerationbecausewehaveastrongeconomyandarelatively small Indigenous population that isyoungandgrowing.

The Victorian Government currently invests in a range of Indigenous economic developmentinitiativesandakeychallengeforthecomingyearwillbetoensurethatinitiatives are in place to support entry intotheworkforceandadvancementforthosepeoplealreadyintheworkforceorinbusiness.

Table 3: Highest qualification level achieved by Indigenous and non-Indigenous status (Victoria)

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2006

Indigenous non-Indigenous

no. of people

% of total

no. of people

% of total

Postgraduatedegreeorcertificate 264 3.3% 180,992 9.6%

BachelorDegree 817 10.4% 498,763 26.3%

Advanced diploma and diploma level 847 10.7% 286,508 15.1%

CertificateLevelIII&IV 2,330 29.5% 508,818 26.9%

CertificateLevelI,IIornotstated 639 8.1% 92,561 4.9%

Levelofeducationinadequatelydescribed 235 3.0% 51,460 2.7%

Levelofeducationnotstated 2,756 34.9% 275,389 14.5%

Total 7,888 100.0% 1,894,491 100.0%

Table 4: Employment by Indigenous and non-Indigenous status (Victoria)

Source: ABS Estimates from the Labour Force Survey 2010

Employment to population ratio

Unemployment rate

Workforce participation rate

Indigenous 55.5 16.3% 66.3%

Non-Indigenous 72.5 5.4% 76.6%


An Indigenous economic participation and developmentstrategywillcomplementthe revised Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework. Itwilltakeintoaccount:

• Theneedtoinvestinalifecourseapproachwithaparticularemphasisonchildren and young people.

• Thedifferentchallengesfacedbythoseexperiencing disadvantage and those already participating in the economy but wishingtoprogresstheircareer.

• TheGovernment’scommitmenttoengagingwithIndigenouscommunitiesin Victoria.

• TheneedtoaligneffortswiththeCommonwealthGovernmentandothersectors.

Thestrategywillbuildon:

• WorktodateincludingMoonda Wurrin Gree,the2010reportoftheVictorianAboriginalEconomicDevelopmentGroup.

• Currentinvestmentsineducation,employment,business,Indigenoustourism,rolemodelsandmentoring.

• CurrentjointeconomicdevelopmentinitiativesbetweentheStateandCommonwealthGovernments.

In summary


The early years of every child’s life are critically important and lay the foundation for their future health,growthanddevelopment.Researchshowsthatcognitive,linguistic,socialandemotionalcompetencies are interdependent and shaped by experiences and relationships during the early years. Aschildrengrowolderandtheirbrainsarelessadaptable,itbecomesmoredifficulttochangetheirdevelopmentaltrajectories.Investmentintheearlyyearsiscost-effective,yieldinglong-termbenefitsandeconomic returns far in excess of initial investments.

Indigenouschildrenaremorelikelytobevulnerablethan any other group of children in Australia. To reduce thegapindevelopmentaloutcomes,theCouncilofAustralian Governments has set targets to halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under the ageoffiveyearswithinadecade,andtoensurethatallIndigenous4year-oldshaveaccesstoqualityearlychildhoodeducation(withinfiveyears).

InVictoria,workiscontinuingtoprovideIndigenouschildrenwiththebestpossiblestarttolifebyimprovingaccesstomaternityservices,improvingattendanceatMaternalandChildHealthServices,providingfreekindergartenfor3and4year-oldIndigenouschildren,developingAboriginalBestStartsitesandsupportedplaygroups,andprovidingsupportinthehomeforparents of pre-school aged children.

During2010–11,thenumberofIndigenous3and4year-oldsparticipatinginVictoriankindergartenscontinuedtogrowandtheparticipationratesforIndigenous children attending Victorian Maternal and ChildHealthServiceswerethehighesttheyhavebeensince2006forallkeyagestagesuptoandincludingeight months.

Jointinitiativeswithkeypartnersarebeingundertakenthatfocusonuniversal,earlyinterventionandsecondary service system responses to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous children in the child protection system and to better meet the needs of vulnerable children and families. These initiatives are based on recognising the importance of connection to culture.

KeypartnersoftheVictorianGovernmentinthisareaincludetheMunicipalAssociationofVictoria,localcouncils,theCommonwealthGovernment,communityserviceorganisations,theVictorianAboriginalCommunityServicesAssociationLtd,VictorianAboriginalEducationAssociationIncorporatedtheVictorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation,andAboriginalCommunityControlledHealth organisations.

Strategic Area for Action 1Improve Maternal and Early Childhood Health and Development

Indicator 1.1 Reduce reported smoking in pregnancy by Indigenous mothers

Indicator 1.2 Reduce the Indigenous perinatal mortality rate

Indicator 1.3 Decrease the percentage of Indigenous babies with birth weight below 2500 grams

Indicator 1.4 Increase Indigenous 3 year-old and 4 year-old kindergarten participation

Indicator 1.5 Reduce the rate of Indigenous child protection substantiations

Indicator 1.6 Increase the proportion of Indigenous children attending Maternal and Child Health Services at key age milestones

Appendix 1 Progress against the Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework Strategic Areas for Action–to be revised in 2012


Indicator 1.1 Reduce reported smoking in pregnancy by Indigenous mothers

In2010–11,thepercentageofIndigenouswomenadmittedtohospitalfromonemonthpriortodeliverywhowerecurrentsmokersdecreasedfrom40percentin2007–08to39percentin2008–09and37percentin2009–10.

Table 1.1: Percentage of women admitted to hospital from one month prior to delivery who were current smokers1,2

1 Thereiscurrentlynoreliabledataavailableforreportedalcoholuseinpregnancy.Targetstoreducealcoholuseinpregnancywillbedevelopedwhenreliabledatabecomesavailable.

2 ThisdatarelatestosmokinginpregnancybyIndigenousmothers.Non-IndigenousmotherswhosebabiesareIndigenousareincludedwithnon-Indigenousmothers.3 Source:VictorianAdmittedEpisodesDataset,basedonrecordedIndigenousstatusofmother,useoftobacco.In2009theVictorianPerinatalDataCollectionbegan

collecting data on tobacco use in pregnancy by all mothers.

The relatively small number of Indigenous mothers meansthattherewillbesomevolatilityonayeartoyearbasis.HoweverthetrendoverthepastsixyearsshowsasmalldecreaseinthepercentageofIndigenousmotherswhosmoke,althoughtherehasbeen a greater decrease in the percentage of non-Indigenousmotherswhosmoke.Theoverallsmokingrate for Indigenous mothers is heavily influenced by themuchhigherpercentageofteenagemothers,whoaremorelikelytosmokethanoldermothers.Withthisinmind,futureactivityundertheClosingtheGapinIndigenousHealthOutcomesNationalPartnershipAgreementwilltargetpregnantwomen,theirfamiliesandsupportnetworksinthefuture.ItshouldbenotedthatVictoriahasalowerpercentageofIndigenousmotherswhosmokeinpregnancythanthenationalaverage.

Awomanwhosmokesbeforeorwhilepregnantincreasestheriskofexperiencingawiderangeofproblemsincludingectopicpregnancy,miscarriageandprematurelabour.Womenwhosmokeareuptothreetimesmorelikelytogivebirthtoalowbirthweightbabycomparedtonon-smokers.Lowbirthweightbabiesaremorevulnerabletoinfectionandotherhealthproblems,suchasbreathingdifficulties3. Thereisagrowingbodyofevidenceoftheconnectionbetweensmokinginpregnancyandthedevelopmentof chronic health conditions over the baby’s lifetime.

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisationundertookathree-yearactionresearchproject(GoreenNarrkwarrenNgrn-toura–HealthyFamilyAir)toreducetheprevalenceofsmokingamongpregnantIndigenouswomen.Aliteraturereviewundertakentoinformtheprojectsupportedprojectinitiativesaroundtraining,organisationaldevelopmentandcommunitydevelopment.Theprojectinvolvesworkingwiththreesitestodevelopinterventionsaroundsmokingcessation.Actionin2010–11included:

• Trainingforhealthworkerstosupportpregnantwomentoquitsmoking.

• Creatingenvironmentswithinhealthservicesandcommunitiestosupportwomentoquitsmokingbeforeandduringpregnancy,byworkingtowardssmoke-freeIndigenoushealthserviceproviders.

• Mobilisingcommunitysupportforsmokingcessationduring pregnancy.

Theprojectendedin2011andhasbeeninstrumentalin providing the evidence base for future action and in raising the issue of tobacco use in the Indigenous healthserviceproviderstargetedbytheproject.

2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10

Indigenouswomen 39 31 38 40 39 37

Non-Indigenouswomen 10 9 9 8 8 7


Indicator 1.2 Reduce the Indigenous perinatal mortality rate

Datafor2009and2010iscurrentlyunderrevisionandnotyetavailableforpublication.Perinatalmortalityincludesstillbirthsanddeathsofliveborninfantslessthan28days.Becauseoftheverysmallnumberofperinataldeathseachyear,ratescanvarysignificantly.However,theIndigenousrateremainsconsistentlyhigherthanthenon-Indigenousrate.In2008theperinatalmortalityrateforbabiesofIndigenousmotherswas17.9per1000births,morethantwicetherateforbabiesofnon-Indigenousmothers(7.9per1000).

Table 1.2: Perinatal mortality (rate per thousand births)

Note: The perinatal mortality rate includes stillbirths and deaths of liveborn babies at less than 28 days. Data sourced from the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection.

4 AustralianHealthMinisters’AdvisoryCouncil,2011,AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHealthPerformance FrameworkReport2010,AHMAC,Canberra.Indicator1.20.

Almost all perinatal deaths are due to factors during pregnancy and childbirth. Perinatalmortalityreflectsthehealthstatusandhealthcareofthegeneralpopulation,accesstoandqualityofpreconception,reproductive,antenatalandobstetricservicesforwomen,andhealthcareintheneonatalperiod.Broadersocialfactorssuchasmaternaleducation,nutrition,smoking,alcoholuseinpregnancy,andsocio-economic disadvantage are also significant4.

The Victorian Government continues to take action through the Koori Maternity Strategy to:

• Increaseaccesstoculturallyinclusivecare in the early stages of pregnancy through to the postnatal period via 11 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations,nineinregionalVictoriaandtwointhemetropolitanarea.

• EmployIndigenousHealthWorkersandmidwivestoincreaseaccesstoantenatalcare,postnatalsupportandhospitalliaisonforbirths,whichareessential to improve the health and wellbeingoutcomesforIndigenousmothersandbabies(KooriMaternityServices).

• IncreaseIndigenouswomen’sknowledge,participationandsatisfactionwiththeirantenatalandpostnatalcare.

• ExpandKooriMaternityServices,particularlywherethereissignificantgrowthintheIndigenouspopulation.

• IncreasetheskillsoftheIndigenousmaternityworkforceandexpandingthenumberofAboriginalHealthWorkersandmidwives.

In2010–11,plannedexpansionofKooriMaternityServicesatSwanHillwasimplementedtoprovideclinicalandmidwiferyservices.Planningwasundertakenin2010–11toexpandKooriMaternityServicesinWodongaandtoestablishanewserviceinthewesternsuburbs of Melbourne.

Importantly,areviewoftheKooriMaternityServicesprogramcommencedin 2010–11todeterminetheextenttowhichthe current model addresses the intended outcomes and to identify the features of effective maternity services to Indigenous womeninVictoria.

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

BabiesofIndigenousmothers 16.1 13.3 14.1 14.3 17.9

Babiesofnon-Indigenousmothers 7.9 8.2 7.9 8.0 7.9


Indicator 1.3 Decrease the percentage of Indigenous babies with birth weight below 2500 grams

Datafor2009and2010iscurrentlyunderrevisionandnotyetavailableforpublication.In200814.2percentofbabiesborntoIndigenousmotherswereoflowbirthweight,comparedto6.0percentofbabiesofnon-Indigenousmothers.Thatis,therateoflowbirthweightIndigenousbabieswasconsistentlymorethantwicetheratefornon-Indigenous babies.

Table 1.3: Babies with birth weight below 2500 grams, by Indigenous status of mother (%)

Note: Figures have been revised to exclude stillbirths, and terminations of pregnancy for psychosocial indications and congenital abnormalities. Figures will thus be slightly lower when compared to 2009–10 Report. Data sourced from the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection.

Birthweightisanindicatorofthegeneralhealthofanewbornbabyandakeydeterminantofinfantsurvival,healthanddevelopment.Lowbirthweightisassociatedwithanincreasedriskofneonatal death and various diseases inlaterlife,includingdiabetesandcardiovascular disease. The length of pregnancyandthegrowthrateofthebabyduringpregnancyaffecttheweightofthebaby at birth.

TheVictorianGovernmentistakingactionthroughKooriMaternityServicesofferedthrough 11 Indigenous health service providersacrossVictoria,withtheaimofproviding culturally appropriate maternity caretoIndigenouswomen.KooriMaternityServicesaimtoincreaseparticipationinantenatal care and facilitate the relationship ofwomenwiththebirthhospital,therebycontributingtoearlyidentificationofriskfactors and reductions in the numbers of babieswithlowbirthweights.

Activitiesundertakenin2010–11include:

• Afocusonhealthpromotionstrategiesto effectively convey maternity care messages and engage the community in accessing maternity care early and consistently during pregnancy.

• RaisingawarenessofKooriMaternityServicesandtheneeds/optimalcareofpregnantIndigenouswomeninmainstream health services.

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

BabiesofIndigenousmothers 16.2 13.4 13.1 12.0 14.2

Babiesofnon-Indigenousmothers 6.2 6.3 6.3 6.2 6.0


Indicator 1.4 Increase Indigenous 3 and 4 year-old kindergarten participation

Thenumberofboth3year-oldand4year-oldIndigenouschildrenenrolledinandattendingkindergartenhasbeenincreasingoverthepastfewyears.In2011thenumberof3year-oldsenrolledinafundedkindergartenprogramwas343,whilethesamefigurein2011for4year-oldswas742.

Table 1.4.1: Indigenous 3 year-old kindergarten enrolment

Table 1.4.2: Indigenous 4 year-old kindergarten enrolment

Note: The methodology calculates participation rates as the number of Indigenous children enrolled in funded kindergarten in the year before school (4 year-olds) as a proportion of the number of Indigenous children in the population. The state wide number of Indigenous children enrolled in Prep the following year is used as a proxy for the number of Indigenous children in the population, as there is no annual estimate of this cohort currently available. The gap is the difference between the kindergarten participation rate and Indigenous participation rate. The difference is expressed as percentage points.

The 2011 Indigenous participation rate cannot be calculated until early 2013.

Note: The Early Start Initiative providing free kindergarten for Indigenous 3 year-olds commenced in 2008–09 so data is only available from this point. 3 year-old data for 2011 is at 30 December 2011. The denominator for participation rates is based on ABS experimental projections of the Indigenous population including young children from 2006 to 2021.

5 FromConfirmedKindergartenDataCollectionundertakeninApril2010,reportedasat30June2010.6 ConfirmednumberoffundedenrolmentsasrecordedintheDepartmentofEducationandEarlyChildhoodDevelopment’sCHISOLsystemasatSeptember2011.

2008 2009 2010 2011

Number of Indigenous 3 year-old children enrolled inafundedkindergartenprogram

109 238 262 343

Participationrate(ExperimentalEstimate)

13% 27.7% 30.9% 39.2%

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

NumberofIndigenous4year-oldchildrenenrolledinafundedkindergartenprogram

465 529 504 525 579 7315 7426

Victoriankindergartenparticipationrate 92.7 91.4 91.8 92.4 92.7 95.1 94.6

Indigenouskindergartenparticipationrate 66.4 65.4 59.0 62.0 67.2 72.8 Not available

at time of reporting

GapinpercentagepointsbetweenIndigenous and non-Indigenous 4year-oldchildrenenrolledinfundedkindergartenprograms

26.3 26 32.8 30.4 25.5 22.3 Not available

at time of reporting


7 Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators 2009,ProductivityCommission,Canberra,page425.8 The State of Victoria’s Children 2009,Section8,page218.

Attending quality early education and care hasbeenshowntoenhanceintellectual,social and behavioural development inchildrenandisassociatedwithincreased levels of school completion7. Disadvantaged children can significantly benefit from high quality early education andcare,offeringthemabetterstarttoschool8.

Actiontakenin2010–11includes:

• IncreasingthenumberofhoursoffreeaccesstoakindergartenprogramforIndigenous three and four year-old children from 2-3 hours for 3 year-olds to10.75hoursfor3and4year-olds.

• ContinuationoftheconstructionoftwoAboriginal Children and Family Centres inWhittleseaandBairnsdale,withWhittleseaduetocommenceoperationinNovember2011andBairnsdaleinJuly 2012.

• TheprovisionofprofessionaldevelopmenttoKoorieEngagementSupportOfficersonearlychildhooddevelopmentandkeyearlychildhoodinitiatives,withaparticularfocusonincreasing3and4year-oldkindergartenparticipation.

Figure 1.4: Number of 4 year-old Indigenous children enrolled in funded kindergarten in the year before school

Num

ber

Year

400394

467 462

499534

465

529504

525

579

731 742

500

600

700

350

450

550

650

750

800

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011


Indicator 1.5 Reduce the rate of Indigenous child protection substantiations

In2010–11,therateofIndigenouschildprotectionsubstantiationsofnotificationsreceivedper1000childrenaged0-17was50.49. Achildprotectionsubstantiationisthedeterminationthatachildoryoungpersonis‘inneedofprotection’,followingaperiodofinvestigationandinformationarisingthroughthatinvestigation.Child protection substantiation for Indigenous children rose last year and is unacceptably high at a rate of9.4timeshigherthanfornon-Indigenouschildren.

Table 1.510: Rate per 1000 children aged 0-17 years in substantiations of notifications by Indigenous status

Note: Table 1.5 is broken to indicate changes to reporting methodology in 2006–07 and in 2009–10. These changes are detailed as follows:(a) Due to new service and data reporting arrangements the Victorian child protection data for 2006–07 may not be fully comparable

with previous year’s data.(b) Prior to 2009–10, rates of substantiations were calculated as the number of children aged 0-16 years in substantiations divided by

the ABS estimated population of children aged 0-16 years at 31 December, multiplied by 1000. For Indigenous children, the ABS June population projections for two years were averaged to obtain a population figure for December of the relevant year. For 2009–10 onwards rates of substantiations are calculated as the number of children in substantiations aged 0-17 years divided by the ABS estimated population of children aged 0-17 years at 31 December, multiplied by 1000.

9 Source:AustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfareChildProtectionReport2012.10Source:ReportonGovernmentServices2011

All children should have the best possible start in life to thrive,learnandgrow,bevaluedandrespected,reachtheir full potential and participate in society. To do this weneedtoprotectchildrenfromharm,protecttheirrights and promote their development in culturally and ageappropriateways.Reducing the rate of substantiations can be achieved by strengthening and supporting Indigenous families. Child abuse and neglect can be prevented by addressingdisadvantage,recognisingandpromotingfamily,communityandculturalstrengthsthatprotectchildren,anddevelopingcommunity-widestrategiestoaddressspecificriskfactors.Universal,specialistandtargetedassistanceisavailableto support Indigenous families including Maternal and ChildHealthServices,KooriMaternityServices,BestStartincludingAboriginalBestStart,InHomeSupportforAboriginalFamiliesandHomeBasedLearning.These services support families to build and maintain safe and nurturing family environments and to develop their parenting capacity.Victoria supports culturally appropriate child protection responses to Indigenous children and their families. These are referred to in the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005. This includes the legal requirement for every Indigenous child in out of home care on a guardianship order to have a cultural support plan.Victoria has invested in a range of Indigenous child and familyservicesandinitiativestostrengthenfamilies,preventongoingchildprotectionintervention,andreunify families after child protection intervention.

They include:• AboriginalFamilyPreservation.• AboriginalFamilyRestorationandIntegratedFamilyServices.

A piloting at three sites of the Aboriginal Family CoachingVictoriaprogramwhichworksintensivelywithIndigenous families to prevent a child or young person beingplacedawayfromtheirhome.WorkcontinuestoimplementSection18oftheChildren, Youth and Families Act 2005thatallowsfortheSecretarytoauthorisetheprincipalofficerofan Aboriginal organisation to perform functions and powersinrelationtoaprotectionorderinrespectofanIndigenouschild.TheGovernmentisworkingwithasmall number of Aboriginal organisations to guide the policydevelopmentandcapacitybuildingworkrequiredtoimplementsection18.Initiativesannouncedinthe2011-12StateBudgetprovide increased supports for vulnerable Indigenous families and children. They include:• TheCradletoKinderProgram.• HealthandEducationAssessmentsforallchildrenenteringresidentialcare.AboriginalLeavingCare.

• AboriginalLeavingCare.• TherapeuticCare.• StrengtheningAboriginalOrganisations.Further improvements to the protection and support of vulnerable young Victorians are anticipated from the Government’s response to the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry launched by The Hon. TedBaillieu,PremierofVictoriaon31January2011.

2004–05 2005–06

Indigenous 63.3 67.7

Non-Indigenous 5.8 6

All children 6.4 6.7

2006–07 (a) 2007–08 2008–09

56.6 55 48.3

5.3 4.9 4.8

5.9 5.5 5.4

2009–10 (b)

46.9

4.7

5.2

2010–11

50.4

5.4

5.9


Indicator 1.6 Increase the proportion of Indigenous children attending Maternal and Child Health Services at key age milestones

In2010–11,thepercentageofIndigenouschildrenaccessingtheMaternalandChildHealthServiceatkey‘ageandstage’consultationswaslowerthanfornon-Indigenouschildren.However,therearesomepositivetrendsemergingasthegapinparticipationratesbetweenIndigenouschildrenandallchildrenforvisitsatallconsultationshaddecreasedsince2006–07.

Table 1.6: Maternal and Child Health Services participation gap between Indigenous and all children at key age and stage visits (percentage points)

Figure1.6illustratesthatparticipationratesinMaternalandChildHealthServicesin 2010–11wasgenerallythehighestsince2006foralltenkeyagesandstagesconsultations.

Consultation 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11

Home visit 9.8 7.6 9.2 5.5 0.5

2weeks 15.1 9.7 13.2 10.0 2.8

4weeks 17.1 15.2 16.7 13.4 9.6

8weeks 17.1 17.7 17.5 12.1 13.3

4months 22.1 20.3 21.4 12.2 14.3

8months 25.2 23.8 25.2 12.2 19.3

12 months 24.0 31.2 21.9 23.2 20.0

18months 24.0 31.5 22.0 24.0 18.6

2 years 20.7 22.1 20.2 24.3 19.2

3.5years 20.4 19.8 18.7 19.3 17.5

Figure 1.6: Proportion of Indigenous children attending Maternal and Child Health Services at key age milestones, 2006–201111

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-1110

30

50

70

90

0

20

40

60

80

100 99.694.8

87.283.0 79.4

62.7 61.9

52.9 49.7 45.3

3.5

year

s

2 ye

ars

18 M

onths

12 M

onths

8 Mon

ths

4 Mon

ths

8 W

eeks

4 W

eeks

2 W

eeks

Home V

isit

11Source:DepartmentofEducationandEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentAnnualReportandDataCollection.ParticipationiscalculatedonchildrenenrolledintheMaternalandChildHealthServiceandnotasaproportionoftheoverallpopulation.Universalparticipation(All)includesIndigenouschildreninthecalculationofparticipation.Alldataisreportedasfinancialyearandthegapisreportedasthedifferenceinpercentagepoints.LabelledpercentagesinFigure1.6arefor2006–07to2010–11.Datapubliclyavailableat http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ecsmanagement/matchildhealth/annualdata/archive.htm


Increased participation in Maternal and Child HealthServicesimproveshealthandwellbeingoutcomes through increased parenting support and early identification of child health and development issues. Active participation in programs such as Maternal and Child HealthServicescanfosterpositivelearningand development and lessen or eliminate the effects of disadvantage before they become entrenched.

MaternalandChildHealthServicescontinueto provide outreach services to Aboriginal CooperativesandAboriginalHealthServicesin 16 municipalities. The Victorian Aboriginal HealthServicereceivesadditionalfundingtoprovideMaternalandChildHealthServices.This has enabled improved access to and linkagesbetweenMaternalandChildHealthServices,AboriginalCommunityControlledOrganisationsandKooriMaternityServicesandincreased participation in Maternal and Child HealthServicesforIndigenouschildrenandtheir families.

ParticipationintheMaternalandChildHealthServiceisfurtherpromotedthroughtargetedIndigenousprograms,includingtheKooriMaternityServicesprogram,theInHomeSupportprogramandtheHomeBasedLearningprogram.ManyBestStartsiteshaveprioritisedan‘increaseinparticipationintheMaternalandChildHealthService’asone of their indicators in their action plans. All partnerships are required to give priority toengagementwithIndigenouscommunitiesandorganisationsintheirarea.Supportedplaygroups in 26 municipalities have also becomeaneffectivewayofsupportingprioritytargetpopulationgroupstoaccessservices,including Indigenous children and their families.

In 2010–11 the Victorian Government provided funding to the Victorian Multicultural Commission for the provision of cultural competencetrainingto450MaternalandChildHealthnursesacrosstheState.Nurseswereprovidedwithaframeworktoprovideculturallycompetent care for Indigenous and culturally diverse families.


Good outcomes in early childhood and obtaining a high-quality school education lead to increased choice and greater economic opportunity throughout peoples’ lives. Improved educational outcomes are alsolinkedtoarangeofsocialbenefits,includingbetterlivingconditions,betternutrition,lowerratesofimprisonment,andalongerandhealthierlife.Thereforeahigh-qualityeducationisparticularlyvitalinbreakingthe cycle of disadvantage and enabling people to lead healthy and prosperous lives.

WhenIndigenouschildrenstartschoolmanyareoftenbehindnon-Indigenouschildren,highlightingthe importance of ensuring that children are ready for school through participation in high quality kindergarten,andthatservicesareinplacetosupporta smooth transition into school.

Year 10 is a particularly crucial period as students startplanningtheircareerpathways.ThereisstrongevidencethatstudentswhocompleteYear12aremorelikelytoundertakefurthereducationandtraining,andinturnhavewiderandbettercareeropportunities.HoweverseniorschoolretentionratesforIndigenousstudentsaresignificantlylowerthanfornon-Indigenousstudents. For instance current Year 10 to 12 retention rates for Indigenous students and non-Indigenous studentsareabout51percentand81percentrespectively.

ToreducethegapineducationaloutcomesbetweenIndigenous and non-Indigenous children and young people,theCouncilofAustralianGovernmentshassettargetstohalvethegapinreading,writingandnumeracywithinadecade.ImprovementsintheseareaswillinturnsupportbettertransitiontoYear10and improve Year 12 or equivalent attainment.

TheVictorianGovernmentcontinuestoworkwiththeCommonwealthGovernment,thevocational,educationandtraining(VET)sector,adultcommunity

education(ACE)providers,universities,theClontarfFoundation,andIndigenousemploymentagenciestoincreaseeducationparticipation,improveattainmentlevels,andfostersuccessfultransitionsfromeducationand training to further education and employment.

The Indigenous community and Indigenous families are critical partners in improving education outcomes. Through2010–11,theVictorianGovernmenthascontinuedworkingwiththeVictorianAboriginalEducationAssociationIncorporated(VAEAI),Indigenousparents,andthecommunitytoimplementWannik12.Wannikisacomprehensiveandholisticstrategy to deliver improved educational outcomes for Indigenous students at all levels of the school system.

Overthelastthreeyearstherewasevidenceofimprovement in some current Victorian Indigenous AffairsFrameworkmeasuresofliteracyandnumeracy.Howeverinmostcasestherewasnocleartrend.Therewasanimprovementovertenpercentagepointsin the apparent retention rate to Year 10 and the number of students completing Year 12 or equivalent continued to rise. Of concern is that Indigenous studentscontinuedtobeawayfromschoolmoreoftenthan their peers.

Strategic Area for Action 2Improve education outcomes

Indicator 2.1 Improve school attendance rates for Indigenous students

Indicator 2.2 Improve literacy and numeracy in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 for Indigenous students

Indicator 2.3 Improve transition to Year 10 for Indigenous students

Indicator 2.4 Increase completion of Year 12 or equivalent qualifications for Indigenous students

12Wannik,fromtheGunai/Kurnailanguagemeaning‘LearningTogether–JourneytoOurFuture’,istheVictorianDepartmentofEducationandEarlyChildhoodDevelopment’s(DEECD)educationstrategyforIndigenousstudentsinVictoria.


Indicator 2.1 Improve school attendance rates for Indigenous students

In2010,thegapinattendanceforYearsPrepto6was5.4percentagepointsandforYears7to10,8.6percentagepoints.Thegapforbothcohortshasdecreasedsince2006buthasfluctuatedeachyearmakingitdifficulttobeconfidentofanimprovementtrajectory.

Table 2.1: Attendance gaps in government schools between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students13

13 The attendance rate data for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in Victorian Government schools relates only to those schools thatreportedatleastoneIndigenousenrolment.Averageattendanceratesarebasedoncomplete-yeardata,andconsequentlymaydiffer from that reported previously.

Non-Indigenous

Indigenous10

30

50

70

90

0

20

40

60

80

100

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Non-Indigenous

Indigenous10

30

50

70

90

0

20

40

60

80

100

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Figure 2.1.1: Average attendance rate for primary school students in government schools

Figure 2.1.2: Average attendance rate for secondary school students in government schools, Year 7 to Year 10

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Gap in percentage points forPreptoYear6betweenIndigenous and non- Indigenous students

5.8 5.8 5.6 5.3 5.4

Gap in percentage points for Years7-10betweenIndigenousand non-Indigenous students

9.5 8.7 8.2 9.2 8.6


Non-attendance has been highlighted as one factor that accounts for poor educational attainment among Indigenous children14.Patternsofattendanceandnonattendance are established early in primary school and it may be more difficult to turn around non-attendance in secondary school. Improving attendance needs to be a priority for all schools and the Indigenous community.

The reforms in school education for Indigenousstudentswhichcommencedin2008includeanumberofactionstargetedatimprovingstudentengagementand,inturn,improvingattendancerates. In2010–11,theseinitiativesincluded:

• Thecontinuedoperationofeffectiveengagement programs such as theClontarfAcademiesinMildura,SwanHill,Robinvale,BairnsdaleandWarrnambool;andthreeDanceAcademiesinMooroopna,BallaratandEaglehawk.

• ThecontinuedimplementationoftheVictorianCareersCurriculumFrameworkwhichprovidesascaffoldforacareereducation program for all young people fromYears7to12andforyounglearnersintheACEandTAFEsectors,including Indigenous young people.

• ExpandingtheManagedIndividualPathwaysInitiativeintoYears8and9tosupport early intervention and retention forIndigenousstudentsatriskofdisengaging from school.

• ReformingtheKoorieEducationWorkforce,withKoorieEngagementSupportOfficersemployedinallregionsfocusedonengagementwithfamilies, communitiesandschools.Theworkforcenumbersincreasedby27positionsandover50percentoftheexistingworkforceweresuccessfulinpromotingto a higher classification level.

• ProvidingprofessionallearninginProjectManagementtosupporttheKoorieEducationWorkforcewhenundertakingplace-basedprojects,includingregionalprojectsfocusedonIndigenousstudentattendance.

• MeetingalltuitionandlivingcostsforIndigenous students attending the SchoolforStudentLeadership,a co-educational,residentialYear9leadership school.

14ZubrickSR,SilburnSR,DeMaioJA,ShepherdC,GriffinJA,DalbyRB,MitrouFG,LawrenceDM,HaywardC,PearsonG,MilroyH,MilroyJ,CoxA2006.The Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey: Improving the Educational Experiences of Aboriginal Children and Young People,Perth,CurtinUniversityofTechnologyandTelethonInstituteforChildHealthResearch.

WannikDanceAcademiesaimtoprovide an educational program basedarounddanceforYears7to10Indigenous female students. Opening in2010,theWannikDanceAcademiesarelocatedatBallarat,EaglehawkandMooroopnaSecondaryCollegesandoffer a specific dance program aligned to the regular school curriculum.

The Academies provide an educational programthatisengaging,developsliteracyandnumeracyskills,andprovides opportunities for mentoring and developingtransitionpathways.

In2011therewere55studentsenrolledacross three dance Academies and the overall school attendance rate for academystudentswas85percent.TwooftheAcademieshadattendanceratesof89percentorhigher.Alloftheacademies had attendance rates that are at least 12 per cent better than the overall rate for Indigenous students at theschoolsinwhichtheyarelocated.

80percentofthestudentsintheacademieshaveshownanimprovementinliteracy,andafurther16percentmaintainedtheirstandard.Innumeracy,81percentofstudentsimprovedand13 per cent of these maintained their standard.

Box 2.1 Wannik Dance Academies


Indicator 2.2 Improve literacy and numeracy in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 for Indigenous students

OverthepastthreeyearstherewasevidenceofimprovementinsomemeasuresofliteracyandnumeracyparticularlyintheproportionofIndigenousstudentsinthelowerbandsforYear3literacyandYear5numeracy.ThisisshowninTables2.2.1and2.2.2below.

ProgressissimilarlyevidentagainsttargetsagreedintheNationalIndigenousReformAgreement,whichisfocussedontheproportionofstudentsachievingminimumbenchmarksinliteracyandnumeracy15.

Onmeasuresfocusedonthenumbersofstudentsinthetoptwobands,presentedinTable2.2.2,thereislittleevidenceofanychangewhichcouldbereflectingthesmallnumbers of students and hence volatility in the data from year to year16.

Table 2.2.1: Year 3 reading — percentage of students in NAPLAN bands 1 and 217

Table 2.2.2: Year 5 numeracy — percentage of students in NAPLAN band 4 or below 18

15Trajectorytargetsweremetin11ofthe12NAPLANliteracyandnumeracyareas(Years3,5,7,9COAGReformCouncil2011).SeeNationalIndigenousReformAgreement:Supplementonliteracyandnumeracyachievement2010,COAGReformCouncil,Sydney.

16Themostrecentdataforindicator2.2isfromtheMay2010NAPLAN,whichreportstheresultsofstudentsinnationalliteracyandnumeracy.Dataaredisaggregatedbysex,Indigenousstatus,LBOTE,geographiclocationandarealsoreportedagainstarangeofstudentbackgrounddataderivedfromparentoccupationandeducation.Datafordisaggregationsbelowthefullcohortaresubjecttomeasurementerrorwhichmustbetakenintoaccountwhenviewingresults.TheseerrorsarerelativelylargefortheVictorianIndigenouscohort,andareparticularlyrelevantwhenmakinganyattempttoquantifychangesinproportionsofstudentsachievingatparticular band levels. Details are provided in footnotes to individual tables.

17Becauseofthestatisticaluncertainlyandvolatilityofthesedataattherequiredlevelofdisaggregation,thepercentageofstudentsintherelevantbandsneedstobeconsideredasarange.Foreaseofreporting,themidpointoftheconfidenceintervalisbeingused,howevererrorofupto4.0percentagepointsappliestotheIndigenousdata.ThismeansthatthepercentageofIndigenousstudentsintherelevantperformancebandscouldbeupto4.0percentagepointslargerorsmallerthanreported.

18Becauseofthestatisticaluncertainlyandvolatilityofthesedataattherequiredlevelofdisaggregation,thepercentageofstudentsintherelevantbandsneedstobeconsideredasarange.Foreaseofreporting,themidpointoftheconfidenceintervalisbeingused,howevererrorofupto5.0percentagepointsappliestotheIndigenousdata.ThismeansthatthepercentageofIndigenousstudentsintherelevantperformancebandscouldbeupto5.0percentagepointslargerorsmallerthanreported.

2008 2009 2010

Indigenous:%inbands1&2 28.1 24.3 24.3

Non-Indigenous:%inbands1&2 9.9 8.9 8.0

Apparentgap(percentagepoints) 18.2 15.4 16.3

2008 2009 2010

Indigenous:%inbands4orbelow 40.8 31.4 29.9

Non-Indigenous:%inband4orbelow 16.2 12.4 11.1

Apparentgap(percentagepoints) 24.6 19 18.8


Robust literacy and numeracy performance is the foundation for success in school andfurthereducationalpathwaysandemployment. The Victorian Government is takingarangeofactioninpartnershipwiththeCommonwealthGovernmentandthenon-government school sector.

To support improved literacy and numeracy for Indigenous students in Years 2 to 10,anIndigenoustutorialprogramwasestablished in 2010 and has continued in 2011. Assistance is given to all Indigenous studentswhoarenotperformingattheexpectedstandardinEnglishorMaths.

WithsupportfromtheVictorianAboriginalEducationAssociationInc(VAEAI),anonlinetoolcalledtheKoorieEducationLearningPlanwasdevelopedintheNorthern Metropolitan Region. Assistance is being given to all regions to support schools to adopt the tool in 2011 to strengthen the development of Individual EducationPlansforIndigenousstudents.

The Council of Australian Governments SmarterSchoolsNationalPartnershipsincorporateLowSocialEconomicSchools,LiteracyandNumeracyandTeacherQuality–withcleartargetstoimproveliteracy and numeracy outcomes for Indigenous students. Focus schools under thisNationalPartnershiparerequiredtofollowthedirectionssetbytheVictorianLiteracyandNumeracySecretariatincluding:

• Workingwithregionsandnetworkstodevelop student literacy and numeracy achievement targets and to support the development of detailed plans to meet those targets.

• Buildingonanemergentculturewherethe literacy and numeracy performance of individual students is continuously monitored and evidence-based strategies are implemented to support improvement in their literacy and numeracy outcomes.

• Identifyingstrategiesthatbestmeettheliteracy and numeracy needs of students fromIndigenousandEnglishasaSecondLanguagebackgrounds.

Table 2.2.3: Reading and numeracy — percentage of Indigenous students in the top two NAPLAN bands (bands 5 and 6)19

19Becauseofthestatisticaluncertainlyandvolatilityofthesedataattherequiredlevelofdisaggregation,thepercentageofstudentsintherelevantperformancebandsneedstobeconsideredasarange.Foreaseofreporting,themidpointoftheconfidenceintervalisbeingused,howevererrorofuporinsomecasesinexcessof4.0percentagepointsappliestotheIndigenousdata.ThismeansthatthepercentageofIndigenousstudentsintherelevantperformancebandscouldbeupto4-5.0percentagepointslargerorsmallerthanreported.

2008 2009 2010

Year 3 Reading 23.1 23.5 22.5

Year5Reading 12.8 14.5 12.7


Year 3 Numeracy 21.0 17.7 14.2

Year5Numeracy 7.1 8.4 11.4





Intensive literacy and numeracy initiatives havebeendevelopedwithCatholicandIndependent sectors under the Closing theGapinitiative,asfollows:

• TheTechnologyEnrichedCurriculumProject–DigitalLiteracy(TECP)isaplace-based,cross-sectoralprojectacross14schoolsintheoutereastern region of Melbourne and regionalareasofEchucaandBallarat,involvinggovernment,independentand Catholic schools. The focus of theprojectandassociatedresearchis the use of Information and CommunicationTechnologies(ICT)withYears5toYear8Indigenousstudents to significantly improve literacy outcomes and student engagementwithlearning.

• TheExpandedCentralGippslandKoorieLiteracyProjectisacrosssectoralprojectacrossselectedgovernment,independentandCatholic schools in Victoria. This projectisanextensionofaplace-based application of Reading Recovery practices currently being utilised in Central Gippsland. The target area for this intervention is the Gippsland area and Mildura. The aimoftheprojectistoimprovetheoutcomes of targeted Indigenous studentsinYears3,5and7whoareatriskofnotachievingreadingoutcomes.

Box 2.2: Initiatives with the Catholic and independent sectors


Indicator 2.3: Improve transition to Year 10 for Indigenous students

In2010,theapparentretentionrateforIndigenousstudentsinYear7to10was90.7percentcomparedwith80.4percentinthepreviousyear.Thisisanimprovementofover10percentagepointsintheapparentrate,reflectingpositivelyontheworkofschools,students,familiesandcommunities.Thechallengeistoretainandbuild on this improvement.

Table 2.3.1: Apparent retention rates20 for students in Year 7 to 10, by Indigenous status21

Stayingonandcompletingschoolisimportantforallyoungpeople,asleavingschoolearlycanhaveanegativeimpactonemploymentopportunities,increasedependenceonwelfare,andnegativelyinfluence health.

During2010–11,programstoimprovetransitiontoYear 10 for Indigenous students continued. These included:

• ManagedIndividualPathwaysandIndividualEducationPlansforIndigenousstudents.

• IncludingafocusonIndigenousoutcomesinthecontractsofSchoolFocusedYouthServicesandLocalLearningandEmploymentNetworks.

In2010–11,theseprogramswerefurthersupplemented by the introduction of eight Regional KoorieTransitionOfficersandnineRegionalCareersDevelopment Officers.

TheeightRegionalKoorieTransitionOfficershavebeen employed through the Council of Australian Governments’NationalPartnershiponYouthAttainment and Transitions. Their role is to:

• Increaseengagement,retentionandattainmentlevels of Indigenous young people in Victoria across all schooling sectors.

• SupportIndigenousyoungpeopletogrowtheiraspirations to succeed at school.

• SupportIndigenousyoungpeopletodevelopstrongpost-schoolpathways.

The nine Regional Career Development Officers supportalleducationandtrainingproviders(inschools,ACEandTAFE)toimplementtheVictorianCareersCurriculumFramework,drivesystemimprovementand increase the capacity of careers practitioners to deliver improved career development services to young people,withaparticularfocusonIndigenousyoungpeople.

TheVictorianCareersCurriculumFrameworkprovidesan online career education program for all young peoplefromYears7–12andforyoungpeopleintheACEandTAFEsectors.IthasadditionalguidelinesandcustomisedCareerActionPlansforfourtargetedcohorts,includingforIndigenousyoungpeople.TheFrameworkhasbeendevelopedundertheNationalPartnershiponYouthAttainmentandTransitions,ajointinitiativeoftheCommonwealthandstateandterritory governments. It is available on www.education.vic.gov.au/careersframework

20Theapparentrateofretentionisdefinedasthenumberoffull-timeschoolstudentsinadesignatedlevel/yearofeducationasapercentageoftheirrespectivecohortgroup,whichisatthecommencementoftheirsecondaryschoolingatYear7.

21Source:ABSSchools,Australia(cat.no.4221.0)

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Indigenous students 81.2 91.1 88.3 81.7 80.4 90.7

Non-Indigenous students 98.1 98.3 98.8 99.0 100.2 101.3


TheWorkplaceLearningCoordinatorprogram continued in 2010–11. One ofthekeyperformanceindicatorsthis program is the demonstration ofincreasedworkplacelearningopportunities for Indigenous young people.Theprogramseeksto:

• Increasethenumbersofstudentsundertakingworkplacelearningplacementsinplacesofemployment,especially in industries that provide strong vocational outcomes for students.

• IncreasethealignmentbetweenVETprovision in schools and local industry needs.

• IncreasethenumberofIndigenousstudentsundertakingworkplacelearning placements.

• Generateandidentifynewworkplacelearning placements.

Box 2.3: The Workplace Learning Coordinator program


The2010resultmatchedthe2009resultconsolidatingthe improvement achieved in that year. Year 12 or equivalent completions come at the end of over a decade of schooling and Indigenous Victorians completing or not completing year 12 or equivalent reflect previous approaches to education. Indigenous childrenenteringprimaryschoolnowafterkindergartenarebetterplacedthanthecurrentgenerationof17and18year-oldsandcompletionratescanbeexpectedtocontinuetoclimb,narrowingthepresentgapsoverthecoming decade.

In2010–11,theVictorianGovernmentundertookarange of initiatives aimed at improving the Year 12 or equivalent completion rate. These included:

• ContinuingtheprovisionofWannikIndigenousEducationScholarships(63scholarshipshavebeenawardedsince2009)tosupporthighachievingIndigenousstudentswhoareinYear11inVictorianGovernmentschoolsandwhointendtocompleteVCEorequivalent.

Number of Indigenous students who completed Year 12 or equivalent in the school sector

270240210180150120

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2010

90600 30

Figure 2.423: Number of Indigenous students who completed Year 12 or equivalent in the school sector in 2010

22TheVCAAandSkillsVictoriadataprovidedcontainalimitednumberofduplicationsacrosssources.CertificatecompletionsincludeallcertificatesattainedintheVETsector(TAFEs,AdultCommunityEducationProvidersandprivateproviders).ThisincludesVETCertificatesatLevelIIandabove,aswellasVETinSchool,VCEandVCALcertificatesreportedintheVETsector.Duplicationshavenotbeenremoved.

23Source:VCAAAPSdatabaseasat01/09/2011.Note:ThesefiguresincludeallcertificatesattainedwithintheSchoolsSector,whicharelargelyVCEcertificates.CertificatecompletionofVCALatIntermediateorSeniorlevelandVETcertificatesattainedintheSchoolsSector,thatisVETinSchoolsCertificates(regardlessoflevel)arealsoincluded.Thefiguredoesnotincludecertificatesattainedinthenon-school(VET)Sector.ThefiguresincludeallIndigenousstudentswhoattainedacertificateintheschoolssectorinagivenyear.Year12orequivalentattainmentisusuallyreportedforspecificagegroups,includingatage19and20–24.Thefigureshavenotbeencheckedforduplicaterecords.WhencalculatingYear12orequivalentattainment,allcertificatesshouldbedistinctorunique.Thatis,astudentcertificateshouldbeexcludedfromthecountifthisstudenthaspreviouslyreceivedaYear12orequivalentcertificate,eitherinpreviousyearsorinthesameyear.

Indicator 2.4 Increase completion for Year 12 or equivalent qualifications for Indigenous students

InVictoria,studentscancompleteYear12orequivalentineitherschoolsorinthevocationaleducationandtraining(VET)sector.TheVETsectorincludesTAFEs,adultcommunityeducationprovidersandprivateproviders.AsignificantproportionofIndigenousyoungpeopleundertakeeducationwithinVET,sometimeswhilestillattendingschoolforpartoftheirstudies.ForadditionalinformationonVETparticipation,refertoIndicator3.1IncreasethesuccessfultransitionofIndigenousyoungpeopleaged18-24yearstoemploymentand/orfurthereducation.

In2010,thetotalnumberofIndigenouspeoplewhocompletedYear12orequivalentwas31722. Of these:

• 257completedYear12orequivalentintheschoolsectoraspartoftheirseniorsecondaryprogram.

• 134wereVETstudentsuptotheageof19whocompletedYear12orequivalent.


• ContinuingtheIndigenousSeniorTutorialProgramwhichprovidesallIndigenous students in Year 11 and Year 12 in Victorian Government schools withfundingtocontracttutorialsupportto supplement mainstream teaching resources.

• ContinuationofvariousinitiativesundertheNationalPartnershiponYouth Attainment and Transitions to increase participation of young people ineducationandtraining,increaseattainment levels and improve successful transitions from school (refertoBox2.4.1);

• ImplementingtheKoorieTransitionOfficers initiative through the delivery of an induction program and development ofastate-wideKoorieTransitionsOfficerBusinessPlan(forfurtherinformationseeBox2.4.2).

• Establishingacareersmentoringpilotto provide assistance for young people inYears7and8fromthreetargetedgroups,includingIndigenousyoungpeopleinMorwell.

SeveralprogramsundertheNationalPartnershiponYouthAttainmentand Transitions continue to support Indigenousyoungpeopleasfollowswithprogress in 2010–11 including:

• YouthConnections(deliveredbytheCommonwealthGovernment,incollaborationwiththeVictorianGovernment)providescasemanagementandsupportforat-riskyoung people to remain engaged in,orreconnectwith,educationandtraining.Providersplaceaspecialfocus on assisting Indigenous young peoplewhererequired.In2011,203clientsweretargetedtoreceiveintensive assistance through this program.

• WorkplaceLearningCoordinatorsacrossVictoriafacilitateworkplace-based learning experiences for all students. All providers have a requirement to increase the number of Indigenousyoungpeopleundertakingworkplacelearningplacements.

• KoorieTransitionOfficersacrossallDepartmentofEducationandEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentRegionswhodeveloprelationshipswithIndigenousyoung people and their families to increasethenumberwhoremainineducationortraining,improveaspirationstosucceedatschool,andsupportstrongpost-schoolpathways.

KoorieTransitionsOfficersareundertakingarangeofactivitiesincluding:

• WorkinginpartnershipwithYouthTransition Officers and Regional Career Development Officers in the implementation of the Careers CurriculumFramework.

• WorkinginpartnershipwiththeKoorieEducationWorkforceintheimplementationoftheKoorieEducationLearningPlanandhowtheKoorieCareersActionPlanwillinterfacewiththistool.

• EngagingwiththeKoorieEducationWorkforcetosupporttheirunderstandingoftransitionpathways.

• MeetingwithkeystakeholdersintheregionsuchasLocalLearningandEmploymentNetworks,YouthConnections,Schools,RegionalNetworkLeaders,andIndigenousemployment agencies.

Box 2.4.1: Indigenous support under the National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions

Box 2.4.2: Koorie Transitions Officers


Improved outcomes in education and early childhooddevelopmentwillenablemoreyoung Indigenous Victorians to achieve employment and be financially independent throughoutlife.Strongpathwaysandsuccessful transition to further education andemploymentwillensurepositivegainsin early childhood and education translate into lifelong opportunities in the economy.

Currently,IndigenousVictorians,theirfamilies and their communities are not employed or operating businesses at the same rate as non-Indigenous Victorians.Longtermunemploymentand‘worklessness’24 significantly affects thehealthandwellbeingoffamiliesbylimiting their economic independence and subsequent life choices. It entrenches inequalities.Toaddressthis,theCouncilofAustralian Governments has set a target to halve the gap in employment outcomes betweenIndigenousandnon-IndigenousAustralianswithinadecade.

In2010–11inVictoria,apackageofIndigenous economic development initiatives announced in May 2010 continuedtobeimplemented.Employmentand business initiatives formed the centrepiece of Victoria’s Indigenous economic development agenda. This included effort to increase the proportion of Indigenous Victorians employed in the Victorian public sector. Through the Council of Australian Government’s National PartnershiponIndigenousEconomicParticipation,theVictorianGovernmenthascommitted to an Indigenous public sector target of one per cent.

Other important contributors to economic development include access to appropriate housingandaccesstoland.Landisakeyassetforwealthgeneration.Increasingaccess to land for Indigenous Victorians and ensuring that there are economic benefits arising from increased access to land offers opportunities for sustainable economic development.

PrivatesectorpartnersarecriticalforIndigenous economic development as theprivatesectorplaysadirectandkeyrole in increasing Indigenous employment and business and also indirectly through influencing their supply chains. An important partnership has been established withtheVictorianEmployersChamberofCommerceandIndustry(VECCI)todeliver a comprehensive business support program for Indigenous businesses. As wellasprogramdelivery,VECCIhasdemonstrated private sector leadership by auspicingKinaway,Victoria’sIndigenousChamber of Commerce.

OtherkeypartnersincludetheCommonwealthGovernmentwhichhas primary responsibility for providing employment services in Victoria and alsotheVictorianAboriginalEducationAssociationIncorporated(VAEAI),whichworksinpartnershipwiththeStateGovernment to support the participation of IndigenousVictoriansintheVETsector.

Strategic Area for Action 3Improve economic development, settle native title claims and address land access issues

Indicator 3.1 Increase the successful transition of Indigenous young people aged 18 to 24 years to employment and/or further education

Indicator 3.2 Increase Indigenous labour force participation

Indicator 3.3 Increase workforce participation by Indigenous people in the public sector in ways which can drive improvements in the Strategic Areas for Action

Indicator 3.4 Increase the proportion of Indigenous people with access to their traditional lands

24Referstowhereanindividualofworkingageandwhoisabletoworkhas,foranextendedperiodoftime,notworkedandhasnotactivelysoughtworkorparticipatedineducation and training.


Indigenous young people in the VET sectorIn2010therewere4,801Indigenouspeople enrolled in the Victorian Vocational EducationandTraining(VET)sector,anincrease of 10 per cent on the previous year.Thisincludes1,796Indigenousyoungpeople(18to24years),whichrepresentsagrowthof16percentonthepreviousyear.

Indicator 3.1 Increase successful transition of Indigenous young people aged 18 to 24 years to employment and/or further education

On Track,theannualpostschoolsurvey(Table3.1)showsthatanincreasingproportionofIndigenousYear12completersenrolledinuniversitybetween2006and2011.Thisisconsistentwiththenationalefforttoincreasetheproportionof25to34year-oldswithaqualificationataBachelorleveloraboveto40percentby2025.

TherewasanoveralldeclineintheproportionofIndigenousYear12completersenrollinginTAFEandVETsince2006.TherewasalsoanoveralldeclineofIndigenousYear12completersenteringfull-timeworkoverthesameperiod.

ThegrowinglevelofhighereducationenrolmentrepresentsmoreopportunitiesforIndigenousyoungpeopletofurtherdeveloptheirintellectualcapital,andimprovetheirprospectsofproductiveeconomicparticipation.

Table 3.1: On Track destination data for Indigenous Year 12 completers as a percentage (government schools and TAFE)25

25Source:On Track Survey–DataOutcomesandEvaluation

TheVETsectorplaysanimportantroleforIndigenousyoungpeoplewhohavenotcompletedYear12,orleftschoolearliersupportingthemtoremain in school or transition to further learning or employment.

In2010,therewere897Indigenousyoungpeople(18to24years)enrolledinVETwhohadnotcompletedYear12representinganincreaseof17per cent compared to the previous year.

Box 3.1.1 Indigenous young people in the VET sector

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

University 27.8 25.5 22.4 28.9 28.7 30.0

VETCertIV+ 18.7 17.1 21.2 16.1 15.8 12.2

VETEntry-level 7.0 7.7 8.3 6.4 8.4 6.9

Apprentice 2.7 5.6 8.7 5.0 7.1 5.6

Trainee 8.6 5.9 2.9 4.7 7.4 8.4

Workingfull-time 11.8 9.1 14.1 6.1 7.7 7.5

Workingpart-time 11.8 15.0 8.3 12.5 10.0 10.0

Lookingforwork 7.0 8.7 4.5 9.6 8.1 9.7

Deferred 4.8 5.2 9.6 10.7 6.8 9.7

TOTAL 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Interviewed 187 286 312 280 310 320


The Wurreker Strategy is a partnership betweentheVictorianAboriginalEducationAssociationIncorporatedandthe Victorian Government to improve participation by Indigenous people in VET.Aspartofthispartnership,theVictorian Government supports the followingactivities:

• Fundingandsupportfortheimplementation of the Wurreker StrategyinTAFEs.

• Fundingandprofessionaldevelopmentfor23KoorieLiaison

Officers.

• AconcessiontuitionfeeforIndigenous students eligible for the Victorian Training Guarantee.

• Additionalfundingtotrainingprovidersfor Indigenous enrolments.

SincetheStrategycommencedin2000,therehasbeen34percentgrowthinIndigenousenrolmentsintheVETsector.

Box 3.1.2: Wurreker initiatives

TherecentgrowthinIndigenousenrolments at Certificate III level and above(15percentbetween2008and2010)supportstheCouncilofAustralianGovernmentsgrowthtargetforthesequalifications: to halve the proportion of Australiansaged20to64yearswithoutqualifications at Certificate III level and abovebetween2009and2020.

Similarly,the17percentgrowthinIndigenous Diploma and Advanced Diplomaenrolmentsbetween2008and2010alignswiththeCouncilofAustralianGovernments target of doubling the numberofthesequalificationsbetween2009and2020.

The2010ModuleLoadCompletionRate26 for Indigenous students increased from 64percentin2009to65percentin2010.ItcontinuestobebelowtheModuleLoadCompletionRatefortheoverallVETstudentpopulation(78percent).

Many of the initiatives as described under StrategicAreaforAction2,particularlythoseundertheNationalPartnershiponYouth Attainment and Transitions and the VictorianCareersCurriculumFramework,support transition to further education or employment.

Other important initiatives include:

• TheVictorianTrainingGuaranteewhichcontinuestosupportincreasedparticipationofIndigenouspeopleinVETthrough unlimited access to government subsidised training for foundation-level qualifications27.

• Theprovisionin2010oftargetedfundingforIndigenousVETintheGoulburnValleyandLakeTyersAboriginalTrustinEastGippsland.

• InpartnershipwiththeVictorianAboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and through the CommunityServicesandHealthIndustryTrainingAdvisoryBoard,continuationofaprojecttotrainandsupport15AboriginalHealthWorkersintheacutepublic health system.

26TheModuleLoadCompletionRatedescribestheextenttowhichstudentscompletethetraininginwhichtheyenrol.27ThegrowthinenrolmentsinhigherlevelVETqualificationssignalsapositiveresponsebyIndigenouscommunitiestotheopportunitiesaffordedbytheVictorianTrainingGuaranteetomoveintofurthertrainingandsustainableemploymentpathways.


Indicator 3.2 Increase Indigenous labour force participation

The Victorian Government complements the CommonwealthGovernment’semploymentservicesthroughtargetedIndigenousemploymentprojects.In2010–11State-fundedemploymentprojectssupported:

• 477Indigenousjob-seekerstoregisterwithaStatefundedemploymentproject.

• 277Indigenousjob-seekerstocommenceemployment.

• 136IndigenousVictorianstoachieveasustainableemployment outcome.28

Inaddition,afurther45Indigenousyoungpeoplecommenced traineeships in the Victorian public sector throughtheYouthEmploymentSchemein2010–11.

Between2008–09and2010–11,morethan540Indigenousjob-seekershaveparticipatedintheVictorian Government’s Indigenous employment projectsandthisisaverypositiveresult.

Employmentisthemostcommonwaythatpeoplebenefit from and contribute to our economy. It delivers bothfinancialandsocialbenefitstoindividuals,familiesandcommunities.Importantly,itdeliversskillsandlabourtosupportcontinuedeconomicgrowthandprosperity.

Employmentplaysacriticalroleinbreakingthegenerationalcycleofdisadvantage.Childrenwhohaveaparentwhoisemployedaremorelikelytocompletesecondaryschool,morelikelytoenterintopost-secondaryeducationandmorelikelytogainemployment themselves.

The 2010–11 year has seen the consolidation and growthofactivitysupportingincreasedlabourforceparticipation by Indigenous Victorians.

The principal activity has been the continuing success offiveemploymentprojectsoperatinginover10locationsinmetropolitanandregionalVictoria.By30June2011,theseprogramshadachieved136oftheirtargeted350sustainableemploymentoutcomes.Itisanticipatedthatthetargetwillbeachievedwellinadvance of the original date of completion.

Theintroductionofindustryandplace-basedbrokershasaugmentedandstrengthenedtheworkoftheemploymentprojects.Fiveindustryandplace-basedbrokerssupportthedeliveryofsixemploymentprogramstoachieve350sustainablejobsforIndigenouspeople.Thebrokerswillbefunded fortwoyearsfrom1July2011to30June2013.

TheintroductionoftheIndigenousEmploymentNetworkhasalsostrengthenedIndigenousemploymentoutcomes.Employmentbrokersandproviders meet regularly to discuss areas of common concern and to address and resolve barriers to success that arise from time to time.

28Asustainableemploymentoutcomeiswhereajob-seekerhasremainedinemploymentfor16weeksormore.


Governments,asemployers,havearesponsibility to contribute to closing the employment gap. It is also important that the public sector reflects the diverse community it serves to ensure better andmoreresponsiveservices.Servicesthat respond to the needs of Indigenous Victorians are an important priority for the Victorian Government.

Increasing Indigenous public sector employment is a commitment made by the Victorian Government through the National PartnershiponIndigenousEconomicParticipation.TheCommonwealthGovernment has also agreed to match Victoria’s one per cent target in Victoria.

In2010–11,theVictorianGovernmentconductedabaselinedatasurvey,whichwillnowbeconductedinconjunctionwiththeannualVictorianpublicsectorworkforcesurvey.Thebaselinesurveyindicates that the proportion of people whoidentifyasIndigenousis0.3percent.Howeverthestatisticalerrorforthisfigureis quite large and the survey relied on self identification and can only be used as an indication of minimum numbers.

Karreeta Yirramboi the Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015, launchedin2010,setsouthowtheVictorian Government intends to improve public sector outcomes for Indigenous Victorians.

Implementation of this plan commenced during 2010–11 through:

• Thecompletionandreleaseofthebaseline survey on the current status of Indigenous employment in the Victorian Government public sector.

• Theestablishmentofarrangementsto deliver on the commitments and frameworkstomonitorprogress.

• Ongoingworktodeveloparesourcethatwillassistpublicsectororganisationsattract,recruitandretainIndigenousemployees.

• Therevisionof‘PickVic’(aresourceguideandwebsiteforschoolcareerscounsellors and students about the rangeofcareersonofferwiththeVictoriangovernment)andthe [email protected] on Karreeta Yirramboi and employment opportunities for Indigenous people in the Victorian Government.

In response to Karreeta Yirramboi, all Victorian Government departments commenced the development or implementation of an Indigenous EmploymentPlan(seeBox3.3).

Indicator 3.3 Increase workforce participation by Indigenous people in the public sector in ways which can drive improvements in the Strategic Areas for Action


Box 3.3 Progress made on development of departmental employment plans


Department of BusinessandInnovation(DBI)

TheDBIAboriginalEmploymentPlanwasatfinaldraftstageasof30June2011andplansare on target for its launch in 2011–12.

Department of EducationandEarlyChildhoodDevelopment (DEECD)

DEECDdevelopedanInterimAboriginalEmploymentPlaninresponsetoKarreeta Yirramboi: Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015. A significant range of issues pertinent to Indigenous employment and career developmentwerecapturedthroughthedevelopmentofDEECD’sfirstAboriginalInclusionActionPlanandthesewillnowbereflectedintheDEECDAboriginalEmploymentPlan.

Department of Health(DH)

DH responded to Karreeta Yirramboi: Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015 through its Aboriginal Recruitment and Retention Strategy 2010–2013, the Closing the Health Gap, Aboriginal Health Workforce Plan,June2013,anttheDHSandDHReconciliationActionPlan(RAP)2010–11.

Department of HumanServices(DHS)

InpartnershipwithDH,DHScontinuedtoimplementtheAboriginal Recruitment and Retention Strategy 2012–13,thatestablisheda1.5percentAboriginalemploymenttargetby December 2013 and has subsequently achieved an increase in Aboriginal employment acrossthedepartmentfrom62inJanuary2010to104inOctober2011.NewpathwayprogramsincludetheAboriginalGraduateRecruitmentProgramandAboriginalStudytoWorkProgram.

Department of Justice(DoJ)

DoJ’s comprehensive Koori Employment Strategy 2011–2015 continued to deliver employmentforIndigenousVictorianswithanincreasefromfourIndigenousemployeesin2000to108(selfidentified)byJune2011acrossbothIndigenous-specificandnon-Indigenous roles.

Department of PlanningandCommunity Development (DPCD)

The implementation of the DPCD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Employment Strategy,launchedinNovember2010,continuedwithafocusonlearninganddevelopmentforIndigenousstaffandthecreationofanactiveIndigenousemployeenetwork.

Department of PremierandCabinet(DPC)

DPCisdevelopinganIndigenousEmploymentStrategywhichincludesrecruitment,selectionandretentionprocessestoincreaseAboriginalparticipationintheworkforceandsupportsthegoalofKarreetaYirramboi.PreliminaryworkhascommencedintheestablishmentoftheDiversityandInclusionStrategywhichwillfosteraworkforcethatisopentodiversityandwillraiseculturalawareness.ThisStrategywillsupportthedeliveryoftheIndigenousEmploymentStrategyinDPC.

Department of PrimaryIndustries(DPI)

DPIcommenceddevelopmentofanAboriginalEmploymentPlanandwithimplementationplanned for 2011–12.

Department of SustainabilityandEnvironment(DSE)

DSE’sIndigenous Partnership Framework 2007–2010 wasreviewedin2011.RecommendationsarisingfromthereviewwerereceivedinJuly2011.TheyarecurrentlybeingconsideredandwillinfluenceandbefactoredintothedevelopmentoftheDepartment’sActionPlan.

Department of Transport(DoT)

DoTdraftedbothanAboriginalActionPlanandanAboriginalEmploymentStrategytoalignwithanddeliveronthefivekeyareasoutlinedwithinKarreeta Yirramboi: Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015. These plans are on target to be launched in August 2011.

Department of Treasury and Finance(DTF)

DTFlaunchedtheirIndigenousEmploymentStrategyaspartofthewiderKarreeta Yirramboi: Victorian Aboriginal Public Sector Employment and Career Development Action Plan 2010–2015. TheStrategyincludesactionsagainstthefivekeyareasoutlinedwithintheKarreetaYirramboi initiative.


TheregistrationofIndigenousLandUseAgreements(ILUAs)anddeterminationsofnative title under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)havebeenusedtotrackprogressagainst this indicator:

Between2009–10and2010–11thetotalnumberofILUAsregisteredinVictoriaincreasedfrom36to38.ThetotalareacoveredbyILUAsincreasedfrom71,400sqkmto83,326sqkm.

Thetotalareaoverwhichnativetitlehasbeendeterminedalsoincreasedbetween2009–10and2010–11from12,296sqkmto26,125sqkm,includinganincreasefrom1,720sqkmto15,107sqkminthetotalareaoflandinwhichnativetitlehasbeen found to exist29.

Indigenous people have an important cultural,spiritualandeconomicrelationshipwiththeirtraditionallands.Theresolutionofnative title claims by agreement recognises this relationship and increases the access that Indigenous people have to their traditionallands,includingthroughtheirinvolvement in land and cultural heritage management. Resolution of native title claims also provides the opportunity to build the economic strength of Indigenous TraditionalOwnersandtheirparticipationinregional economies.

During2010–11,theTraditional Owner Settlement Act 2010(Vic)cameintoeffect,providing a comprehensive alternate statutory means to settle native title claims andaddresslandjusticeinVictoria.UndertheAct,accesstotraditionallandscanbeachievedthroughagreement-makingbetweentheVictorianGovernmentandtraditionalownergroups,withoutrequiringa finding of native title.

TheGunaikurnainativetitlesettlement,reachedinOctober2010,wasthefirsttimetheTraditionalOwnerSettlementActwasusedtosettleanativetitleclaim.Itresolved the largest native title claim in theState,whichcoveredoverone-thirdofVictoria’sCrownland.ThesettlementformallyrecognisestheGunaikurnaipeopleasthetraditionalownersofmuchofGippsland,establishesjoint-managementof10parksandreservesacrosstheregion,andprovidesfortheeconomicandculturaldevelopmentoftheGunaikurnaicommunity.Inthiscase,adeterminationofnativetitlewasalsomadeowingtothe substantial prior progress of the claim undertheNativeTitleAct.Thiswasthethirdtimethatnativetitlewasfoundtoexistin Victoria and contributed to the increase intheareaoverwhichnativetitlehasbeendetermined noted above.

During2010–11,thefirstoftwonaturalresource and cultural heritage business enterpriseswasestablishedwiththeDjaDjaWurrungpeopleinBendigo.ThroughpartnershipwiththeVictorianGovernment,theseenterprisesseektobuildtheeconomic participation and employment ofIndigenoustraditionalownersontheirtraditional country.

The Victorian Government continued to negotiatetowardsaresolutionofthesevenhigh priority native title claims throughout 2010–11,includingtheundeterminedareaoftheGunditjmaraclaimsinSouthWestVictoria.On27July2011,theStateagreedintheFederalCourtthattheGunditjmaraandEasternMaarpeoplesholdnativetitleoverCrownlandinthisarea,beingthefourth such determination of native title inVictoria.Thissignificantoutcomewasreachedfollowingmediationwhichsavedunnecessary legal costs for all parties.

29Thesefiguresareto30June2011anddonotincludethedeterminationofnativetitlefortheGunditjmaraandEasternMaarpeoplesinSouthWestVictoriainJuly2011.

Indicator 3.4 Increase the proportion of Indigenous people with access to their traditional lands


Good health and quality of life is influenced by factors present from the first years of a person’slifeandincludeseducation,workandincome,safeandaffordablehousing,the support of family and friends and broader social participation.

The relative socioeconomic disadvantage experienced by Indigenous people in Victoria compared to non-Indigenous peopleplacesthematgreaterriskofexposuretoeconomic,socialandenvironmentalhealthriskfactors.Researchhasdemonstratedassociationsbetweenan individual’s social and economic status and their health30. For example:

• Limitededucationandliteracyarelinkedto poor health status.

• Lowerincomereducestheaccessibilityof health care services and medicines.

• Unhealthyinfantdietisassociatedwithchronic diseases later in life.

• Smokingandhigh-riskbehaviourisassociatedwithlowersocioeconomicstatus.

Thesecontributetolowerlifeexpectancyandadiminishedqualityoflife.WorktoimprovesmokingratescommencedunderthenewGovernmentin2010.Thisincludesworktoprovidesmoke-freeenvironments in Aboriginal Community ControlledHealthOrganisations,andsocialmarketingstrategiesspecifictotheVictorian Indigenous population.

Tofocusaction,theCouncilofAustralianGovernments(COAG)hascommittedtoclosingthelifeexpectancygapwithinageneration,andinVictoriatherearenowRegional‘ClosingtheHealthGap’AdvisoryCommittees in place to develop and apply place-based implementation plans outlining initiatives to address Indigenous disadvantage. A range of initiatives are being implemented in Victoria through the NationalPartnershiponClosingtheGapinIndigenous Health Outcomes. These are particularlyfocusedonphysicalactivity,healthyweightandsmoking.

Among Indigenous people tobacco use istheleadingriskfactorcontributingtodisease and death31.Accordingto2008data,nearly33percentofIndigenousVictorianssmokecomparedto19percentof non-Indigenous Victorians. The rate of riskyalcoholconsumptionisalsohigh,withIndigenous alcohol-related presentations to EmergencyDepartmentsbeing6.5timesthe non-Indigenous rate in 2010.

Effectiveprogramswhichresultinreductionsinsmokingratesandhealthierlifestylechoiceswill,inturn,reducethe incidence of chronic disease and death. Critical partners include the Indigenouscommunityandfamilies,Aboriginal Community Controlled HealthOrganisations,theVictorianAboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation,theCommonwealthOfficeforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHealthandQuitVictoria.

Strategic Area for Action 4Improve health and wellbeing

Indicator 4.1 Reduce smoking rates of Indigenous people

Indicator 4.2 Improve the levels of physical activity, healthy weight and healthy eating of Indigenous people

Indicator 4.3 Reduce the rates of chronic conditions among Indigenous people

Indicator 4.4 Reduce the rate of self-harm among Indigenous people

Indicator 4.5 Reduce risky alcohol consumption among Indigenous people


32 Victorian Population Health Survey,2008.Thedataisstandardisedtothe2006Victorianpopulation.

Indicator 4.1 Reduce smoking rates of Indigenous people

In2008,32.8percentofIndigenousVictorianswerecurrentsmokers,comparedto19percentofthenon-Indigenous population32.

Table 4.1: Smoking rates by Indigenous status, 2008, from the Victorian Population Health Survey

ItisclearfromallsurveysthattheIndigenoussmokingrateishigherthanthenon-Indigenousrate.However,Victorian results from national surveys indicate that therateofsmokingcouldbeevenhigherthanshownabove.ThissuggeststhatsmokingcessationefforthashadlimitedimpactonIndigenoussmokingratestodate.

One of the priority areas for action under the National PartnershipAgreementonClosingtheGapinIndigenousHealthOutcomesistacklingsmoking.Themajorityofthe‘tacklingsmoking’ClosingtheGapfunding($8.9million)hasbeenallocatedtotheeightDepartment of Health regions to finance localised action informed by Regional Closing the Gap Advisory Committees. All regions have submitted plans detailing their activity under this priority area. To date this activity has focused on:

The development of material and processes to support Indigenoushealthserviceproviderstobecomesmoke-free.

• Workforcetraining.

• Developingsocialmarketingmaterials.

• Providingsupportforsmokefreesporting,socialand arts organisations.

• CessationsupportthroughQuitVictoria.

• Strengtheningtheevidencebaseforinterventions.

State-widecoordinationhasbeensupportedthroughtheAboriginalTobaccoControlAdvisoryGroup,co-chaired by the Victorian Aboriginal Community ControlledHealthOrganisation(VACCHO)andtheVictorian Government. This group has representation fromtheCommonwealthGovernment,statehealthregions,tobaccocontrolpeakorganisations,andresearchbodies.Actiontakenin2010–11included:

• TheVictorianandCommonwealthGovernmentsjointlyfundingQuitVictoriatoemployuptothreeAboriginalQuitLineworkerstodeliverIndigenousspecificQuitLinecounsellingandprovideontheground training and support to Indigenous health service providers.

• ProvidingfundingtoQuitVictoriatosupportIndigenousfootball/netballclubswithasignificantnumberofIndigenousplayersandlinkswithlocalcommunitytogosmoke-free.

• Theemploymentofastate-wideTobaccoControlCoordinator by VACCHO to support Indigenous healthserviceproviderstogosmoke-freethroughactivities including the development of support materials(includinga‘SmokeFreeMob’website).

• UndertheClosingtheGapIndigenousChronicDiseasePackage,thecommencementofaTobaccoandHealthyLifestyleWorkforceforVictoriaoverthree years to include 30 positions across five teams fundedbytheCommonwealthGovernment.

• AtrainingpackageforAboriginalHealthWorkersdevelopedbyQuitVictoriaandVACCHOwhichiscurrently being delivered across the state.

(a) 95% Confidence Interval

Indigenous % Estimated range(a)

Currentsmoker 32.8 26.5 39.8

Ex-smoker 22.4 16.9 29.1

Non-smoker 44.8 38.3 51.4

Non-Indigenous

Currentsmoker 19.0 18.3 19.7

Ex-smoker 23.8 23.1 24.4

Non-smoker 57.0 56.1 57.8


Indicator 4.2 Improve the levels of physical activity, healthy weight and healthy eating of Indigenous people

In2008,thepercentageofIndigenousadultswhowereoverweightorobesewas52.9percent.IndigenousadultswhomettheAustralianguidelinesforphysicalactivitywas61.3percentcomparedwith63.2percentfornon-Indigenousadults.

Table 4.233: Body weight, fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity levels, by Indigenous status (%), 200834

Physicalhealthoutcomescanberelatedtovariousfactors,includingahealthylivingenvironment,accesstohealthservicesandlifestyle choices. There are serious health risksassociatedwithbeingoverweight(BodyMassIndex25.0–29.9)orobese(BodyMassIndexover30),includingtype2diabetes,cardiovasculardiseaseandhypertension,gallbladderdisease,psycho-social disturbances and certain types of cancers.

InVictoria,improvingthelevelsofphysicalactivity,healthyweightandhealthyeatingby Indigenous people is being addressed through both broad and targeted initiatives. Under the Closing the Gap in Indigenous HealthOutcomesNationalPartnership,Indigenousgatheringplaces,walkinggroups,Elders’luncheonsandyouthandmen’s health groups have been established across a number of regions alongside increased health screening and improved communication strategies.

AlthoughthegapsbetweenIndigenousand non-Indigenous physical activity and healthyeatingaresmall,theVictorian Aboriginal Nutritional and Physical Activity Strategy has set policy directions to improve nutrition and physical activity in Victoria.Thisstrategy,developedbytheVictorian Aboriginal Community Controlled HealthOrganisation(VACCHO),istheVictorianGovernment’sframeworkforactionover2009-14topromotehealthyeating and physical activity among Indigenous Victorians.

Actions under the strategy include:

• Nutritionandphysicalactivitytipsheetstargeted to the Indigenous community.

• Increasingandprovidingprofessionaldevelopment opportunities for the Indigenous nutrition and physical activity workforce.

• Supportingpositivenutritionandphysical activity messages in early childhood settings.

Note: Data from the Victorian Population Health Survey 2008 has been revised since the previous Indigenous Affairs report. Another survey was conducted in 2011 and this additional data is expected to be available in 2012.

33 Victorian Population Health Survey2008.ThedataisstandardisedtotheVictorianpopulation2006.BasedoncurrentAustralianguidelinesforfruitandvegetableconsumptionandphysicalactivity.BasedonWorldHealthOrganizationcategoriesforoverweightandobesity.

34FiguresrepresentestimatedaveragepercentagesforIndigenousandnon-IndigenouspeopleinVictoria.

Overweight Obese Did not meet vegetable

consumption guidelines

Did not meet fruit

consumption guidelines

Met guidelines

for physical activity

Indigenous 30.1 22.8 89.3 62.7 61.3

Non-Indigenous

32.0 16.7 90.5 51.0 63.2


35HospitalisationsforIndigenousVictorianswerebasedonstateofhospitalisationin2007-08,andstateofresidencein2008–09.36 The 2011 Review of Government ServicessourcedseparationsdatafromtheAustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfare,2010,

Australianhospitalstatistics2008–09, Cat.no.HSE84,Canberra.

Indicator 4.3 Reduce the rates of chronic conditions among Indigenous people

In2008–09,thehospitalseparationrateforselectedchronicconditionswas29.1per1000Indigenouspeoplecomparedto15.2per1000non-Indigenouspeople.

Table 4.3: Rate of hospital separations for selected chronic conditions per 1000 population35

Changestothenationalcodingbetween2007–08and2008–09meanthatresultscannotbecompared.In2008–09,therange of selected chronic conditions no longerincludeddiabetescomplications,whichmostlyaccountsforthesignificantdecrease in separations for Indigenous Victorians and the decrease in the gap betweenIndigenousandnon-IndigenousVictorians. The rate of diabetes is much higher among Indigenous than non-Indigenous Victorians.

TheAboriginalHealthPromotionandChronicCarePartnership(AHPACC)program operates in 11 sites across Victoria. It supports Indigenous health service providers and community health servicestoworkinpartnershiptoimprovehealth outcomes for Indigenous Victorians withoratriskofchronicdisease.Anevaluation of the program conducted in 2010–11foundthattheAHPACChasmade some significant achievements in theareasofserviceinnovation,communityengagement,intersectoralcollaborationand mainstream organisational change for cultural responsiveness. The total proportion of Indigenous clients accessing mainstream community health services increasedfrom1.38percentin2005–06to2.33percentin2009–10,wheretherewasanAHPACCprogramunderway.Thisisagoodresult,comparedwithapopulationshareof0.7percent.

This is a significantly greater increase than thatfoundinnon-AHPACCcommunityhealth services. The findings indicate that AHPACCiscontributingtoimprovingthelength and quality of Indigenous Victorians’ lives. Opportunities identified to strengthen theinitiativeincludeincreasingworkers’roleclarity;clarifyingreporting;enhancingintegrationandconnectionwithotherprograms;andensuringaccesstosupportandnetworkingopportunitiesacrossallsectors.

FifteenstrategicprojectgrantswereawardedtoAHPACCpartnershipsinMay2011,tosuccessfulapplicantswhoarepursuingarangeofprojectstolocallyimplement the strategic directions resulting fromthe2010–11AHPACCreview.Projectsarevariedandincludeimprovingemployment opportunities in mainstream healthservices;buildinganetworkofIndigenoushealthworkers;healthcheckdays;amen’shealthproject;andexpanding a food share program.

2007–08

Indigenous 45.2

Non-Indigenous 18.2

2008–0936

29.1

15.2


Indicator 4.4 Reduce the rate of self-harm among Indigenous people

In2010–11,4.46per1000IndigenousVictorianspresentedtohospitalEmergencyDepartmentswithconditionsandinjuriesrelatedtointentionalself-harm,comparedto1.10 per 1000 non-Indigenous Victorians.

Table 4.4: Self-harm related emergency department presentations - rate per 1000 population, by Indigenous status

Wheretherateofself-harmpresentationsfor non-Indigenous Victorians has stayed fairlystableoverthepastsixyears,theIndigenousratehasshownanoverallincrease,inspiteofarangeofprogramstosupportthoseatriskofsuicideorself-harm.Itisnotknownwhetherthesituationwouldbeworseintheabsenceofthecurrentefforts,orhasbeenunaffectedbycurrent programs.

IntheIndigenouscommunity,suicideandself-harm can be influenced by a complex set of interrelated factors relating to mental illness,familyviolenceandinstability,substanceabuse,intergenerationaltraumaandpoverty.Preventioncanbeinfluenced by strong family and community relationships,resilienceandsocialcapital.Responsestoself-harmandriskofsuicideinclude clinical interventions through specialist mental health and primary health care service providers and early intervention activity.

Initiatives to prevent suicide and support thoseatriskinVictoriainclude:

• VariousstrategiesandactionsundertheVictorian Aboriginal Suicide Prevention and Response Action Plan (refertoBox4.4.1).

• Thedeliveryoftwoprojects,locatedinMorwellandEchuca,todevelopprevention,identificationandearlyintervention programs targeted to young Indigenouspeopleaged10–25yearswhoareatriskof,orexperiencing,poorsocialandemotionalwellbeing.

• KooriMentalHealthLiaisonOfficerpositions in the five rural regions (10positions)andoneMetropolitanAreaMentalHealthServicebasedattheRoyal Children’s Hospital.

• TheYouthJusticeMentalHealthProgramprovidingsixpositionsstate-widetoimproveaccesstomentalhealthservices for clients of the Youth Justice program.

• Theprovisionoffiveacuteinpatientbedsfor priority access by Indigenous people needing acute inpatient treatment for their illness.

• TheAboriginalMentalHealthMetropolitanServiceRedevelopmentProjectandTrainingInitiative(refertoBox4.4.2).

• Thefundingof19Indigenoushealthservice providers throughout Victoria to provide psychiatric disability rehabilitation and support services for Indigenous people.

• ThecontinueddeliveryoftheRobinvaleFestivalforHealthyLivingbytheRoyalChildren’sHospital,withafocusonarts-based activities in 2011 involving the contracted engagement of five local Indigenous artists and local Indigenous Elders.

2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11

Indigenous 3.01 3.70 4.07 4.68 3.34 4.46

Non-Indigenous 1.3 1.22 1.11 1.18 1.158 1.10


ThePlanidentifiesactionforreducingthe incidence and impact of suicide and self-harm and nominates further action in four priority areas:

• Preventionthroughbuildingresilience.

• Improvingaccesstocareandsupportforthoseatrisk.

• Improvingtheresponsetocrisisandto the community post- suicide.

• Improvingtheevidencebase,datacollection and analysis.

Strategieshavebeendevelopedforeach of the priority areas.

Thisisaprojectfundedoverfouryears(2009–13)andhastwocomponents:

• TheAboriginalMentalHealthMetropolitanServiceRedevelopmentProjectisbeingundertakenbytheVictorianAboriginalHealthServiceinpartnershipwiththeVictorianGovernment and is designing a servicemodelthatwillimproveaccesstometropolitanwidementalhealthservices for Indigenous people.

• TheAboriginalMentalHealthTrainingProjectisbeingundertakenbytheVictorian Aboriginal Community ControlledHealthOrganisation,andistoimplementastate-widetrainingand education agenda to improve the recruitment and retention of a skilledIndigenousmentalhealthworkforceandalsoimprovethecultural responsiveness of mental health services to the needs of Indigenouspeople,theirfamiliesandcommunities.

Box 4.4.1 The Victorian Aboriginal Suicide Prevention and Response Action Plan

Box 4.4.2 Aboriginal Mental Health Metropolitan Service Redevelopment Project and Training Initiative


ThePlanrecognisesthatalcoholusein Victoria’s Indigenous population occursindifferentsocial,historicalandcultural contexts to that of the non-Indigenouspopulation.ItwasdevelopedinpartnershipwiththeVictorianAboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Victoria’s Indigenous communities to achieve long-termchangebyworkingtogetherand supporting Victorian Indigenous communities to reduce alcohol misuse and the negative consequences of harmful alcohol abuse.

During the community consultations fourkeythemesemerged,whichnowformthebasisoftheKooriAlcoholActionPlan2010–2020.Actionsundereachthemedescribehowimprovedoutcomeswillbeachieved. The themes are:

• Strengtheningcommunities

• Responsibleaccesstoalcohol

• Improvedinformationandunderstanding

• Improvingresponsesandservices.

Box 4.5: The Koori Alcohol Action Plan 2010–2020

Indicator 4.5 Reduce risky alcohol consumption among Indigenous people

In2010–11therateofIndigenousalcohol-relatedpresentationstoemergencydepartmentswassixtimesthenon-Indigenousrate.Indigenousalcohol-relatedemergencydepartmentpresentationsrosefrom13.28 (in2009–10)to14.38per1000peoplein2010–11.

Table 4.5: Alcohol-related emergency department presentations–rate per 1000 population, by Indigenous status

The rate of presentations to emergency departments for alcohol-related causes has risen for both Indigenousandnon-Indigenouspersons,buttheIndigenous rate is far higher and has increased at a greater rate. The data indicates a serious trend in the rate of alcohol related Indigenous emergency presentationstohospital,andsuggeststhesituationisworsethanitwassixyearsago.

Riskyalcoholconsumptionhashealthandsocialconsequencesthroughintoxication,alcoholdependence and other long-term health effects. In addition,alcoholmisuse,overtime,canleadtochronicdiseases. It also contributes to disability and death indirectly through associated accidents and violence.

TheVictorianGovernmentisdevelopinganewWholeofGovernmentAlcoholandDrugStrategy,to be released in mid 2012 and has committed to implementingtheKooriAlcoholActionPlan 2010–2020aspartofthisnewstrategy.TheVictorianGovernmentwillcontinuetoworkinpartnershipwiththe Victorian Indigenous community.

In2010–11$4.5millionoverfouryearswascommittedfornewnursingcapacityforthreeruralAlcoholandOtherDrugResourceServicesoperatedbyIndigenoushealthserviceprovidersinShepparton,MilduraandBairnsdale.Inconsultationwithrespectivelocalcommunities,eachservicedevelopedanAlcoholandOtherDrug(AOD)localactionplan.TheactionplansarticulatedanewAlcoholandOtherDrugservicemodel,staffedbyAODworkersandAODnurseswhoprioritise the needs of the local community. Nurses have been employed at each Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and implementation of thenewlydevelopedAODservicemodelsisunderway.

2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11

Indigenous 10.05 10.21 11.17 14.26 13.28 14.38

Non-Indigenous 1.8 2.0 2.16 2.25 2.11 2.33


Strategic Area for Action 5Build Indigenous capacity

Indicator 5.1 Increase participation of Indigenous people in local representative arrangements

Indicator 5.2 Increase the representation of Indigenous people on government boards and committees

Indicator 5.3 Increase the proportion of board members of large Indigenous organisations having undertaken rigorous governance training

Sustainingimprovedeconomicandsocialoutcomes for Indigenous Victorians and overcoming intergenerational disadvantage overthelongertermwillrequirestrong,engaged and informed communities that sethighcultural,economicandsocialaspirationsandworktogethertoachievethem.Suchcommunitieswill:

• ProvideIndigenousVictorianswiththeopportunitytoconnectwiththeircommunity and culture.

• Behighlyconfident,organised,activeand respected.

• HavestrongIndigenousorganisationsthat are sustainable and accountable.

There has been continued focus on supportingthegrowthofLocalIndigenousNetworks(LINs)asforumsforcommunityengagement,planningandaction.Participationinthe38LINsacrossVictoriahasgrownbymorethan15percentoverthelastyearandtherearenowmorethan1500IndigenousVictorianslinkedtomembers of their Indigenous community at alocallevelthroughaLIN.

Therehasalsobeenrenewedfocusonsupporting Indigenous Victorians to have a stronger say in decisions and services throughWayaperri.Wayaperri(meaning‘tomeet’inthelanguageoftheWathaurungpeopleofVictoria)isaninitiativesupportingIndigenous leadership through facilitating board participation and mentoring and learning.WayaperriincludesaregisterforIndigenous people interested in becoming partofagovernmentorcommunityboard,amentorbankmanagedbytheIndigenousLeadershipNetworkVictoria,scholarshipsand other training opportunities.

The capacity of Indigenous organisations has continued to be supported through the deliveryofagovernancetrainingprogram,with56percentofboardmembersoflargeIndigenousorganisationsnowhavingundergone formal governance training inthisinitiative.Inaddition,skillsgainedthrough this program have supported individuals to establish businesses and takeonbroaderleadershiprolesintheirlocal communities.


On30June2010therewere1,307registeredLocalIndigenousNetwork(LIN)participants across the state. One year laterthisnumberhadgrownto1,506,anincreaseof15.3percent.

ALocalIndigenousNetwork(LIN)ismadeupofIndigenouspeoplewhoworktogethertoprovideavoicefortheircommunity,identifylocalissuesandpriorities and plan for the future.

LINsareinvolvedincommunityeventsandgatherings;buildingrelationshipswithlocalserviceprovidersandorganisations;linkingwithlocalgovernmentplanning;workingwithLocalAboriginalEducationConsultativeGroups;increasingyouthparticipation;andplanningandsupportingcommunityinitiatives.EachLINdevelopsa local community plan that identifies their strengths and resources and describes the vision,aspirationsandprioritiesfortheirlocal community.

AstagedprocesstoestablishLINsin38VictorianIndigenouscommunitiescommencedin2006–07andwascompletedin2008–09.

In2010–11,theVictorianGovernment,inpartnershipwithSwinburneUniversity,conducted three additional community planningworkshopsatHallsGap,PrestonandEchuca,inadditiontothesixdeliveredin2009–10.Theseworkshopswereattendedby49participantsfrom15LINsandgaveparticipantsanoverviewofcommunity planning to get them started ontheirownplans.AllLINshavenowcommenced community planning to identifytheiraspirationsandpriorities,andstrategies to achieve them.

Victoria’sLINsaresupportedby13Indigenous Community Development BrokerswhoarebasedinRegionalTeams across all state regions. During 2010–11,theBrokerscontinuedtoassistVictoria’sLINstodesignandimplement a range of activities to increase community engagement and build community participation in local Indigenous representative arrangements.

Indicator 5.1 Increase participation of Indigenous people in local representative arrangements


ThissignificantdropwasduetothecessationofthePremier’sAboriginalAdvisoryBoard(whichaccountedfor12positions)andanincreaseintheoverallnumber of Government boards and committees in 2010–11. There is a case in future to separately measure Indigenous representation on boards and committees not directly related to Indigenous issues as a means of measuring both inclusion and thewiderexpertiseIndigenousVictorianscan bring to government boards and committees.

Asignificantbodyofresearchshowsthatbetter outcomes are achieved if decisions are made by those most impacted. High representation on government boards and committees by Indigenous Victorians enablesinfluenceoverhowdecisionsaretobecarriedoutandhowIndigenousmembers of the community can be includedinthemaking,implementationand communication of those decisions.

TheVictorianGovernmentwillcontinueto strengthen approaches that enhance the ability of Indigenous communities to shouldergreaterresponsibilities,considerwaystoincreaserepresentationongovernmentboardsandcommittees,andstrengthen engagement in service delivery.

During2010–11,11individualsreceivedscholarships to the Australian Institute of Company Directors Company Directors CourseaspartoftheWayaperrileadershipinitiative. The Company Directors Course isadynamicandwell-recognisedcoursethatequipsparticipantswithathoroughknowledgeoftheresponsibilitiesofdirectors and board members.

WorkiscontinuingthroughtheWayaperriAboriginalParticipationonBoardsRegisterto increase the number of Indigenous Victorians serving on public and private boards and committees. This includes:

• AnactiveregisterofIndigenouspeopletrained and available to serve on boards and committees.

• Accesstoappropriatetrainingtoenable Indigenous people to effectively participate in high level boards and committees.

• Monthlynewslettersandregularemailswhichcommunicateboardopportunitiesfor Indigenous people on the register to participate in public and private boards and committees.

Indicator 5.2 Increase the representation of Indigenous people on government boards and committees

Indigenousrepresentationongovernmentboardsandcommitteesfellfrom0.90percentin2009–10to0.53percentin2010–1137.

Table 5.2: Proportion of Indigenous people on government boards and committees

Note: Figures presented include School Councils, and exclude Crown Land Committees of Management (CLCMs). CLCMs became available from the Government Appointment and Public Entities Database (GAPED) in 2010–11. Thus CLCMs were not taken into account in the 2009–10 Report. However CLCMs are also not added in the calculations for this report to standardise comparisons between 2009–10 and 2010–11. Nonetheless CLCMs will be included in next year’s report for both 2010–11 and 2011–12 to ensure a more objective measure of Indigenous representation on government boards and committees.

37Thisdataisbasedoninformationprovidedbybusinessunitswithappointmentresponsibilities.MachineryofGovernmentchangesthathaveoccurredsincetheNovember2010StateElectionmayimpactonstatisticsforeachdepartment.Itisalsonotcompulsoryforappointees to identify as Indigenous.

2009–10 2010–11

Indigenous Representation 0.90% 0.53%


Indicator 5.3 Increase the proportion of board members of large Indigenous organisations having undertaken rigorous governance training

Asat2010–11,56percent(or94outof168)ofboardmembers(bothcurrentandformer)fromVictoria’s25largestIndigenous community organisations have participated in the Victorian Government’s GovernanceTrainingProgram.

The total number of Indigenous Victorians whoparticipatedintheGovernanceTrainingProgramin2010–11was121.

In2010–11,thefirst11participantssuccessfully participated in the Australian Institute of Company Director’s Company DirectorsCourse,forwhichscholarshipsareawardedaspartoftheWayaperrileadershipinitiative.Thistrainingiswellrecognised and is applicable to both public and private sector boards and committees.

There are approximately 200 Indigenous community-controlled organisations in Victoriathatprovideawiderangeofessential services for their communities. Becauseoftheirimportantrole,theyneedtobewellgovernedandsustainable.

Indigenous organisations’ boards of managementaregenerallyvolunteerswithlittle or no formal training in governance. Theseboards,somemanagingbudgetsover$1millionannually,mustbalancecommunityandculturalresponsibilities,whilealsomaintainingtheirlegalobligationstothewidercommunity,governmentlegislatorsandfundingbodies.Withsuchsignificantresponsibilities,directorsandstaffrequirediverseskillstomanagethe complex demands faced by their organisations.

Tosupportimprovegovernanceandskilldevelopment,threeintroductorythree-daygovernanceworkshopsandthreeCertificateIVinBusiness(Governance)coursesweresuccessfullyconductedundertheGovernanceTrainingProgramin2010–11.

SincetheGovernanceTrainingProgramstartedinMarch2006,24introductoryworkshops,12CertificateIVcourses,andtwoDiplomacourseshavebeendeliveredin regional and metropolitan locations acrossthestate,training575participantsfrom164organisations.

Consumer Affairs Victoria reports that compliance of Indigenous organisations withtheirstatutoryobligationsstandsat94percent,whichremainssignificantlyhigherthan that of mainstream organisations overall.


Strategic Area for Action 6Prevent family violence and improve justice outcomes

Indicator 6.1 Increase the police response to and action taken on any Indigenous family violence incident reported to them

Indicator 6.2 Reduce repeat police call outs for Indigenous family violence incidents

Indicator 6.3 Reduce the number of times Indigenous young people (aged 10-17) are processed by police

Indicator 6.4 Increase the proportion of Indigenous young people (aged 10-17) cautioned when processed by police

Indicator 6.5 Reduce the proportion of Indigenous people remanded in custody

Indicator 6.6 Reduce the proportion of Indigenous adults sentenced to prison rather than alternatives

Indicator 6.7 Reduce the proportion of Indigenous people who are convicted within two years of their previous conviction

Thesocioeconomicdisadvantage,marginalisation and disengagement experienced by many Indigenous Victorians placesthematgreaterriskofcontactwiththejusticesystem.WhileIndigenousVictorians remain over-represented across thejusticecontinuum,progresshasbeenmade over the last five years to close thegapbetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenousjusticeoutcomes.Thisincludesan improvement in the rate of Indigenous youth(aged10-17)processedbypolicewhencomparedtotheirnon-Indigenouscounterparts,aswellasclosingofthegapbetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenoussentencing and remand outcomes.

TheAboriginalJusticeAgreement(AJA)isapartnershipwiththeVictorianIndigenouscommunitywhichaimstoreducetheoverrepresentation of Indigenous Victorians in thecriminaljusticesystem.ThesecondphaseoftheAgreement(AJA2)wasreleasedin2006andseekstointerveneateverypointalongthecriminaljusticeexperience to increase opportunities for diversion and reduce re-offending by Indigenous Victorians. It also focuses on makingthejusticesystemmoreresponsiveto and inclusive of Indigenous people.

AJA2,anditsrelatedprogramsand policies are delivered through a coordinatednetworkofgovernmentandcommunityrepresentationworkingtogetheratstate-wide,regionalandlocallevelstoimprovejusticeoutcomesforIndigenous Victorians.

TheAboriginalJusticeForum(AJF)comprises chairpersons from the nine Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees(RAJACs),executiverepresentativesfromkeyIndigenouscommunityorganisations,andseniorgovernment representatives from agencies responsible for the delivery of justice-relatedservices.TheAJFhasbeen instrumental in forging partnerships betweengovernmentandtheIndigenouscommunityatthelocal,regionalandstate-widelevels.

Atlocallevels,theRAJACnetworkfacilitates improved relationships by bringing together Indigenous community membersandseniorJusticePortfoliorepresentatives to develop regionally-based strategiestoimprovejusticeoutcomesforIndigenous communities. There are nine RAJACs,eachchairedbyanIndigenouscommunity member and supported by departmental officers. RAJAC Regional JusticePlanshavebeendevelopedthatarticulatethejustice-relatedaspirationsof each region and set the agenda for strategic action required to meet regional goals of the AJA2.

Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 55Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 55

TheLocalAboriginalJusticeActionCommittee(LAJAC)networkfurtherenables Indigenous communities to identify,anddevelopplaced-basedresponsestojusticerelatedissues.LocallyidentifiedissuesarechannelleduptotheRAJACtoinformwiderstrategicdirection and high level policy and program responses.

An independent evaluation of AJA2 commenced in 2011 and is due for completioninearly2012.WorkhascommencedonthedevelopmentofAJA3,whichisexpectedtobereleasedinmid2012.

Violence,particularlyfamilyviolenceis symptomatic of intergenerational disadvantage,riskyalcoholandotherdrugconsumption,loweducationalattainment,andongoinggriefandtrauma.Violence is a significant threat to the healthandwellbeingofmanyIndigenousfamilies,particularlywomenandchildren.Family violence undermines the ability of families and communities to achieve their cultural,economicandsocialaspirations.It diminishes social capacity and the community’sabilitytoworktogethertomeet its needs.

Victoria’s Indigenous communities are also involved in a partnership approach to address the high rates of family violence experienced by Indigenous Victorians. Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families: towards a safer future for Indigenous families and communities, the Victorian Government’s Indigenous FamilyViolence10YearPlan,isfocusedon creating a safer future for Indigenous familiesandcommunities.ThePlanistheresult of considerable collaborative effort by theIndigenousFamilyViolencePartnershipForumestablishedin2005.IndigenousFamily Violence Regional Action Groups have been established across Victoria and undertakeavaluableroleindevelopingand guiding community-led approaches to preventing,reducing,andrespondingtofamily violence in Indigenous communities.

Other important partners include the CommonwealthGovernment,VictoriaPolice,CorrectionsVictoria,andtheCourts.


Indicator 6.1 Increase the police response to and action taken on any Indigenous family violence incident reported to them

Indicator 6.2 Reduce repeat police call outs for Indigenous family violence incidents.

In2010–11,therewere1295FamilyIncidentsReportswheretheAffectedFamilyMemberidentifiedasAboriginalorTorresStraitIslander.Chargeswerelaidin32.9percentofthesecases.OftheFamilyIncidentsReportsmadebyIndigenousAffectedFamilyMembers,979ofthesewereforrepeatattendancefromVictoriaPolice.Chargeswerelaidin34.2percentofrepeatattendances.BothtablesindicatethatthesimilarratebetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenousatwhichchargeswerelaidsuggestsaconsistentapproachbypolice.

Table 6.138: No. of Family Incidents Reports (FIRs), by Indigenous status of affected family member, by financial year and where charges laid

Aspoliceareoftenthefirstcontactwiththejusticesystem,theyareinakeypositiontoensurethesafetyof Affected Family Members and encourage offenders tobehaveinwaysthatdonotattractfurthercontactwithjusticeagencies.Theinitialpoliceresponsetoafamily violence incident can have a profound impact onwhethertheAffectedFamilyMemberswillreportfurtherincidentsandwhethertheallegedoffenderwillcontinue to offend.

A significant focus in achieving the indicators has been on encouraging greater community engagementbetweenIndigenousVictoriansandpolice. Improved responses enable police to put in placeriskmanagementstrategiesandreferpartiestorelevantsupportagencies.Overtime,thismorecomprehensivelevelofriskmanagementisintendedtoprovidebettersupportandsafetyplanningforvictims,and consequently contribute to a reduction in repeat attendancesandreducedriskoffutureviolence.

TheVictoriaPoliceCode of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence(TheCode)hascontributed to enhanced response and decision makingprocessesbypolice,withparticularemphasisonriskassessmentandmanagement.TheCoderecognisesthatIndigenouswomenexperienceviolence at a particularly high rate and that police response needs to be culturally appropriate and sensitive to diverse needs. As seen in tables 6.1 and 6.2,therehavebeensteadyincreasesinthenumberoffamilyincidentreportswhereanAffectedFamilyMembersisidentifiedasAboriginalorTorresStraitIslanderoverthelifeoftheVIAF.SincetheintroductionoftheCodein2004,policeapplicationsforinterventionordershaverisenby212percent,andpolicenowmakereferralsinmostfamilyviolenceincidentsattended41.

Table 6.239: No. of Family Incidents Reports, by Indigenous status of affected family member, by financial year and where repeat attendance40

38DataprovidedbyCorporateStatistics,VictoriaPolice.DataextractedfromLEAPon18July2011andissubjecttovariation.IncidentswithunknownIndigenousstatushavenot been included in any of these calculations.

39DataprovidedbyCorporateStatistics,VictoriaPolice.DataextractedfromLEAPon18July2011andissubjecttovariation.IncidentswithunknownIndigenousstatushavenot been included in any of these calculations.

40RepeatAttendanceisdefinedaswheretheaffectedfamilymemberhasmadepreviousFamilyIncidentReportstopolice.41Living Free From Violence, Upholding the Right: Victoria Police Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children 2009–14,p.15.

Indigenous status 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

Indigenous 794 28.7 871 24.8 1070 29.0 1213 28.6 1295 32.9

Non-Indigenous 16482 27.2 17985 25.4 20886 26.8 22019 27.4 24518 30.0

Indigenous status 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

No. FIRs recorded

% FIRs where

charges laid

Indigenous 582 31.1 644 27.2 775 30.7 30.9 30.1 979 34.2

Non-Indigenous 8376 31.3 9189 29.3 10863 30.9 11106 32.1 13037 34.2


Inaddition,VictoriaPoliceiscoordinatinganIndigenousFamilyViolenceandSexualAssaultAwarenessCampaignacrossfourlocationsinVictoria,andcontinuestoproactivelyengagewithcommunitygroups in recognising localised issues andopportunities.Positivecommunityengagement has contributed to increased reporting of family violence and subsequently,improvedopportunitiesforearlyinterventionandengagementwithsupport services.

The Indigenous Family Violence Strategy seekstoaddressunder-reportingoffamilyviolence incidents. Government efforts since2005havehadameasurableimpactontheunderstandingandawarenessof family violence across all Victorian communities. Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Groups continue to play apivotalroleinraisingawarenessoffamilyviolenceinlocalcommunities.EachRegional Action Group implements an action plan that has been developed to address local priorities.

TheIndigenousFamilyViolencePartnershipForum,acommunity-ledpartnershipwithgovernment,isthekeygovernancemechanism driving the Indigenous Family Violence Strategy. It consists of Indigenous community representatives from across the state;IndigenousFamilyViolenceRegionalActionGroupChairpersons;Indigenousorganisations;andseniorrepresentativesfrom government departments. The Forumdevelopedandnowoverseestheimplementation of Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families - towards a safer future for Indigenous families and communities–10 year plan. Reporting on the implementation plan occurs every six months and aligns to Indigenous Family ViolencePartnershipForummeetings.

NewservicestoassistIndigenouswomenand children experiencing family violence have been provided in all regions. In addition,twonewcrisisfacilitiestoaddresstheneedsofIndigenouswomenandchildren experiencing family violence are beingestablishedintheLoddonMalleeand Gippsland regions. Case managed supportforIndigenousmenwhouseviolence have been implemented in North &WestMetropolitanRegion,SouthernMetropolitanRegion,LoddonMallee,Gippsland and Hume Regions.

Evidencecontinuestobegatheredthroughthe development of the Indigenous Family ViolencePrimaryPreventionFrameworkon the range of community-led initiatives thatcontributetowardthepreventionoffamilyviolenceinIndigenouscommunities,and provides further guidance for local Indigenous family violence prevention projects.TheFrameworksupports:

• Primarypreventioncapacitybuilding.

• Effectiveandsustainableactivities.

• OwnershipandleadershipwithinIndigenous communities.


Indicator 6.3 Reduce the number of times Indigenous young people (aged 10-17) are processed by police42

Indicator 6.4 Increase the proportion of Indigenous young people (aged 10-17) cautioned when processed by police

In2010–11,Indigenousyoungpeople(aged10-17years)were3.2timesmorelikelytobeprocessedbypolicebywayofacaution,arrest,summons,orwarrantthannon-Indigenousyoungpeople.Comparedwiththe 2004–05rateof3.9,thisisadecreaseof20percent.

In2010–11,33.8percentofIndigenousyoungpeoplewerecautionedwhenprocessedbypolice.The‘gap’betweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenouscautioningoutcomeshasclosedbymorethan30percentoverthelast five years.

Table 6.3: Number of times Indigenous young people are more likely to be processed by police than non-Indigenous young people

In order to address Indigenous over-representation inthecriminaljusticesystemitiscrucialtoreducethenumberofyoungIndigenousVictoriansatriskof offending. This is an increasingly important issue because the proportion of the Indigenous population under25yearsofageisalmostdoublethatofthenon-Indigenouspopulation,andcontinuestogrowrapidly.

Indigenous youth are one of the most socially and economicallydisadvantagedgroupsinVictoria,and face additional challenges stemming from past andpresentracismanddiscrimination.Asaresult,Indigenousyouthareatgreaterriskofadversecontactwiththecriminaljusticesystem.

Preventingadversecontact,orwherepossible,minimisingtheseverityofthecontactwiththecriminaljusticesysteminthefirstinstance,isfundamentalto reducing Indigenous over-representation in this

system.Cautioningaimstominimisethelikelihoodofsubsequentcontactwiththecriminaljusticesystemforyoungoffenders,therebydecreasingthelikelihoodofthem becoming entrenched in a cycle of re-offending.

AJA2focusesoncrimeprevention,earlyintervention,increaseddiversionandreducedre-offending,andinvolves coordinated action by agencies across the justicecontinuumincludingpolice,courts,correctionsandyouthjustice(DHS)inpartnershipwithIndigenouscommunities and organisations.

A range of youth initiatives developed under AJA2 focus on preventing initial contact and reducing the likelihoodofsubsequentcontactwiththecriminaljusticesystem.TheseinitiativeshavecontributedtoareductionintherateatwhichpoliceprocessIndigenousyoungpeople,thepredominantpointofentry into the system.

Table 6.4: Proportion of distinct (alleged) young (10-17 years) offenders cautioned by police, by Indigenous status

Data Source: Victoria Police, Department of Justice population projections.

Note: These figures represent the ratio of distinct, young (10-17 years) Indigenous alleged offenders processed per thousand to distinct, young non-Indigenous alleged offenders processed per thousand. Population estimates are based on 2001 and 2006 ABS Census figures.

Data Source: Victoria Police

Note: Percentages are based on the number of distinct, young Indigenous alleged offenders cautioned when first processed by police during the year.

42NotethatStrategicChangeIndicators6.3-6.7relatetoarangeofstrategiesandinitiativesbeingpursuedundertheVictorianAboriginalJusticeAgreement.43Policerecordscontinuetobeupdatedovertimethereforethe2009–10datahasbeenupdatedtoreflectcurrentdataandhaschangedslightlyfromthe2.9figurepublishedinthe2009–10report.

2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11

Indigenous 33.6% 27.9% 36.7% 36.5% 34.2% 35.2% 33.8%

Non-Indigenous 47.6% 51.4% 57.7% 57.4% 54.7% 52.2% 49.7%

2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11

Number of times more likelytobeprocessed

3.9 3.6 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.043 3.2


The specific youth initiatives under AJA2 whichhavecontinuedin2010–11include:

• TheKooriEarlySchoolLeaversandYouthEmploymentProgram,whichoperatesinMilduraandNorthWesternMetropolitan Melbourne and aims to preventadversecontactwiththejusticesystem by engaging Indigenous young people(aged10–20years)withschooloralternativeeducational,vocationaloremploymentpathwaystocounteractdisconnection or poor connection to school,trainingorwork.

• TheFrontlineYouthInitiativesProgram,whichprovidesgrantstosupportKooricommunitiestoaddresscrimeprevention and community safety issuesthroughdiverseprojectsfocusedon engaging young people that may involvesporting,cultural,music,arts,performance,trainingandleadershipactivities(seeBox6.3).

• EmploymentofIndigenousOfficersbyVictoriaPoliceinlocationsacrossVictoria through the Aboriginal CommunityLiaisonOfficerProgram,aimed at building positive relationships betweenVictoriaPoliceandtheVictorianIndigenous community.

• AcollaborationbetweentheVictorianAboriginalLegalServiceandVictoriaPolicetodeliverthePoliceCautioningandKooriYouthDiversionProgram,aimed at reducing over-representation by increasing the levels of cautioning bypolicewhenengagingwiththecommunity,particularlyIndigenousyouth.

• TheKooriPreandPostReleaseProgram,whichprovidesintensiveoutreach services to Indigenous young peopleexitingVictoria’syouthjusticecustodial centres and facilitates referrals to accommodation and community based culturally specific services.

Other youth initiatives include:

• TheKooriYouthJusticeProgram,whicharosefromtheReport of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1991) and aims to reduce the over-representation rate of young Indigenous people in the criminal justicesystembyprovidingarangeof Indigenous culturally appropriate intensivesupportworktoreduce,divertand rehabilitate young Indigenous peoplewhoareatriskofoffendingorre-offending.

• ThediversionaryKooriIntensiveBailSupportProgram,whichoperatesinfive regions across Victoria and provides intensive and culturally-relevant outreach services to support young people to complywiththeirbailconditionsandfacilitate referrals to community-based andculturally-specificsupportservices,and access to accommodation.


TheShareYourStoryprojectisrunbyNgwalaWillumbongCo-operativeLtdinpartnershipwithSwinburneUniversityofTechnology for Indigenous young people livinginSouthEasternMetropolitanMelbourne.

Ofthe22participantsintheprogram,many had left school prior to Year 10,experiencedhomelessness,unemployment,incarceration,orsomecombination of these. Over half of all participants completed their Certificate IVinYouthWorkbytheendoftheprojectinNovember2010,andover40percentofallparticipantsfoundemployment–many for the first time.

Feedbackfromparticipantsreflectedanincreasedsenseofpride,attainmentoffamilyandcommunityrespect,asenseofdirectionandofhaving‘broken’acycle of perceived disadvantage.

Box 6.3 The Frontline Youth Initiatives Program – Share Your Story project

Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 61Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11 Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2010-11

Indicator 6.5 Reduce the proportion of Indigenous people remanded in custody

Indicator 6.6 Reduce the proportion of Indigenous adults sentenced to prison rather than other alternatives

TheproportionofIndigenousoffendersonremand(un-sentenced)in2010–11was20.2percent.Overthepastfiveyears,the‘gap’ordifferencebetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenousremandoutcomeshasmorethan halved44. The proportion of Indigenous offenders sentenced to prison rather than other orders in 2010–11 was30.3percent.The‘gap’ordifferencebetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenoussentencingoutcomeshasdecreased steadily over the past four years.

Table 6.5: Proportion of daily average number of offenders on remand45

A number of programs are in place to reduce the number of Indigenous people detained prior to sentencing,andthenumberandproportionofIndigenous people sentenced to prison.

ResponsiveandinclusiveserviceprovisionisakeystrategicobjectiveoftheAJAandaimstoensuremainstreamandpositivejusticerelatedservicestakeintoaccountandrespondtotheneedsoftheKooricommunity.TheCourtIntegratedServicesProgramis an example of a non-Indigenous-specific program thatemploysAboriginalLiaisonOfficerslocatedattheMelbourneMagistrates’CourtandtheLatrobeValleyLawCourtstosupportIndigenousclientswithcoordinated case management.

A referral program at each remand prison ensures that Indigenous defendants have access to drug and alcohol treatment and support such as crisis accommodation,disabilityandmentalhealthprogramstoaddressunderlyingcausesoftheiroffending,aswellas assistance in completing a referral.

AnevaluationoftheCourtIntegratedServicesProgramfounda20percentreductioninthelikelihoodofre-offending.Forthosewhodidre-offend,boththefrequency and severity of their offending decreased. In addition,wellbeingoutcomesinrelationtodrugabuse,mental health and housing also improved.

One of the more significant Indigenous-specific initiativesaretheKooriCourtsthatoperateasadivisionoftheMagistrates’,Children’sandCountyCourtofVictoriatoallowgreaterparticipationbytheIndigenouscommunityinthecourtprocess.KooriCourts have been established in Magistrates’ courts inBroadmeadows,Shepparton,Warrnambool,Mildura,Moe/LatrobeValley,BairnsdaleandSwanHill.Inaddition,twoChildren’sKooriCourtsoperateinMilduraandMelbourneandaCountyKooriCourt,thefirstofitskindinAustralia,operatesinMorwellaspartofafour-yearpilotproject.

TheKooriCourtsseektoaddressIndigenousover-representation by providing a culturally-sensitive environmentwithinthecourt,notonlyinitslayoutanddesign,butalsothroughtheemploymentofanumberofKooriEldersandRespectedPersons,andKooriCourt Officers.

Table 6.6: Proportion of offenders sentenced to prison rather than other orders46

44In2005-06thedifferencebetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenousremandoutcomeswas4.8percentagepoints,by2010–11thisgaphadreducedto1.9percentagepoints.

45DataSource:CorrectionsVictoriaDataWarehouse.Note:PrisonerswithunknownIndigenousstatushavenotbeenincludedinanyofthecalculations.46Seefootnoteabove.

2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11

Indigenous 20.8% 22.0% 23.0% 22.5% 19.7% 21.0% 20.2%

Non-Indigenous 17.5% 17.2% 18.4% 19.4% 19.4% 18.8% 29.5%

2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11

Indigenous 28.3% 31.7% 35.9% 34.1% 34.5% 30.6% 30.3%

Non-Indigenous 28.4% 28.8% 32.9% 31.7% 32.5% 29.1% 29.5%


AnevaluationoftheChildren’sKooriCourt(Courtroom7)publishedbyLaTrobeUniversityin2010highlightedtheeffectivenessoftheChildren’sKooriCourtinfostering positive participation in the court system by Indigenousyouth,andengagingtheminculturally-appropriate discussions about their offending behaviour and its underlying causes.

The evaluation highlighted strong community support fortheKooriCourts,increasingIndigenousownershipofthelaw,greatercommunityaccountabilityfortheiryouthandincreasedawarenessofIndigenouscommunity codes of conduct and standards of behaviour.Theevaluationalsofoundtherewerenotableimprovementsinjusticeoutcomesincludinglow’failuretoappear’ratesandbreachesofcourtorders.

There are a range of initiatives aimed at supporting Indigenous offenders on community based orders. These include:

• TheIndigenousLeadingCommunityCorrectionsOfficer(ILCCOs)program,whichprovidesculturally-sensitive supervision of Indigenous offenders on community-based orders by developing and maintainingrelationshipsbetweenCommunityCorrectionalServicesandtheIndigenouscommunitytopreventmoreseriouscontactwiththecorrectionalsystem.

• WulgunggoNgaluLearningPlace(WNLP),whichis a residential facility for Indigenous men on community-basedorderswheretheyreceivesupporttocompletetheirorderswhilelearninglifeskillsthatwillreducethelikelihoodofre-offending(refertoBox6.5).

• TheLocalJusticeWorkerandKooriOffenderSupportandMentoringprograms,whicharecommunity-based initiatives that aim to reduce the number of Indigenous offenders breaching communitycorrectionalorders(refertoBox6.6).

LocatedinGippsland,WulgunggoNgaluLearningPlace(WNLP)isaresidentialfacilityforIndigenousmenoncommunity-basedorders.AtWNLP,participants receive support to complete their orders whilelearninglifeskillsthatwillreducethelikelihoodofre-offending.ParticipantsresideatWNLPforthreetosixmonths,andeachparticipanthasanindividual case management plan that addresses their particular needs.

TheuniquedesignofWNLPanditsprogramshasbeenrecognisednotonlyinVictoria,butinternationally in 2010 by the International CorrectionsandPrisonsAssociation,whichpresentedWulgunggoNgaluwithacommunitycorrectionsawardforitsqualityandinnovationinaddressing the needs of Indigenous offenders.

Box 6.5 Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place

TheLocalJusticeWorkerandKooriOffenderSupportandMentoringprogramsarecommunity-based initiatives that aim to reduce the number of Indigenous offenders breaching community correctional orders.

LocalJusticeWorkersin10communityorganisations help establish culturally-appropriate worksitesforIndigenousoffenders,andassistoffenderstocomplywiththeirorders.Since2008,morethan30worksiteshavebeenestablished,withassistance provided to over 1000 clients.

Inaddition,KooriEldersandRespectedPersonsprovidesupport,mentoring,adviceandculturalconnection to Indigenous offenders to assist them to meet the requirements of their intensive community correctional orders.

Sincetheseprogramsbeganin2007–08,therehas been an increase in the number and proportion of community correctional orders successfully completedbyIndigenousoffenders,andby 2010–11,thesuccessfulcompletionratesforIndigenousandnon-IndigenousVictorianswerealmost identical.

Box 6.6 Local Justice Worker and Koori Offender Support and Mentoring Programs


Indicator 6.7 Reduce the proportion of Indigenous people who are convicted within two years of their previous conviction

TheproportionofIndigenousVictorianswhoreturnedtoprisonwithintwoyearsofreleasecontinuedtodecreasebetween2005–06and2009–10.However,in2010–11,theproportionofIndigenousVictorianswhoreturnedtoprisonundersentencewithintwoyearsofdischargewas54.9percent.Furthermore,thenumberoftimesIndigenousVictoriansweremorelikelythannon-IndigenousVictorianstoreturntoprisonwithintwoyearsofrelease(takingintoaccountover-representationintheprisonpopulation)increasedto19.5.

Table 6.7.1: Proportion of prisoners released who returned to prison under sentence within two years47

A person in Victoria is considered a re-offender if they returntoprisonundersentencewithintwoyearsofdischarge.Assuch,apersondischargedin2008–09wouldbeconsideredare-offenderifreturnedtoprisonunder sentence by 2010–11.

Therateatwhichreleasedprisonersreturntothecriminaljusticesystemisonemeasureofrecidivismand can broadly be defined as the tendency for an offender to engage in criminal behaviour repeatedly49. ReducingrecidivismwilldecreasethenumberofIndigenouspeopleinthecriminaljusticesystemandthe impact of incarceration on family and community members.ItwillalsoassisttoreduceIndigenousover-representation in the system.

Table6.7.1indicatesthatoverthepastsevenyears,Indigenouspersonsreleasedfromprisonareapproximatelyoneandahalftimesmorelikelythannon-Indigenouspersonstoreturntoprisonwithintwoyearsofrelease.

Table6.7.2revealsthatwhenIndigenousratesofover-representationintheprisonerpopulationarecompoundedbytheirhigherrateofreturntoprison,thedisparitybetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenousimprisonmentratesis further magnified.

Table 6.7.2: Number of times Indigenous persons are more likely than non-Indigenous persons to return to prison under sentence within two years of release48

47DataSource:CorrectionsVictoriaDataWarehouse.Note:Columnheadingsrefertothefinalreturnperiod.PrisonerswithunknownIndigenousstatushavenotbeenincluded in any of the calculations

48Measurereferstotherateofover-representationofIndigenouspersonsasprisonerswhoreturntocustodywithintwoyearsandshowsthecompoundingeffectsofahigherrateofIndigenousthannon-IndigenousimprisonmentcombinedwithahigherIndigenousrateofreturntoprison.DataSource:CorrectionsVictoriaDataWarehouseandDepartmentofJusticepopulationprojectionsderivedfrom2001and2006ABSCensuses.Note:Columnheadingsrefertothefinalreturnperiod.PrisonerswithunknownIndigenous status have not been included in any of the calculations.

49Payne,J.(2007)Recidivism in Australia: findings and future researchcitedbySentencingAdvisoryCouncilVictoria.

2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11

Indigenous 52.2% 56.5% 48.6% 50.0% 49.1% 45.0% 54.9%

Non-Indigenous

37.7% 35.3% 35.6% 35.2% 33.1% 32.6% 35.7%

2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11

17.9 19.3 16.8 17.5 15.7 14.0 19.5


A number of initiatives implemented under AJA2 aim to reduce re-offending. These initiativesfocusonsupportingtherehabilitationofIndigenousprisoners,addressingfactorsthatputIndigenousoffendersathighriskofre-offending,andensuringthatIndigenouspeopleincustodycaneffectivelyre-integratewiththeircommunitiesuponrelease.

These include:

• Thewell-attendedandweek-longAboriginalCulturalImmersionProgram(ACIP),whichencouragesIndigenousprisoners to connect or reconnect withtheircultureandre-examinetheirresponsibilitiestoself,othersandthecommunity.

• Theproblem-solvingandcognitivebehaviouraltherapybasedKooriCognitiveSkillsProgram,whichutilises an Indigenous facilitator and a Corrections Victoria psychologist and is currently running in various prisons and community corrections locations across the state.

• Konnect,CorrectionsVictoria’sintensivetransitional support program that provides responsive case management foradultIndigenouswomenandmenexiting prison commencing at eight to tenweekspriortorelease,withsupportcontinuing for up to 12 months after release.

• Twoproperties(inSheppartonandMildura)establishedunderCorrectionsVictoria’s Better Pathways Strategy for usebyIndigenouswomenandtheirfamilieswithahistoryofhomelessnesswhoaredefendantsseekingbail,undertakingacommunitybasedorderorentering parole.


AcronymsABS AustralianBureauofStatistics

AJA2 Aboriginal Justice Agreement – second phase

COAG Council of Australian Governments

LGA LocalGovernmentArea

LIN LocalIndigenousNetwork

NAPLAN NationalAssessmentProgram–LiteracyandNumeracy

NIRA National Indigenous Reform Agreement

TAFE TechnicalandFurtherEducation

VACCHO Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

VCAL VictorianCertificateofAppliedLearning

VCE VictorianCertificateofEducation

VECCI VictorianEmployersChamberofCommerceandIndustry

VET VocationalEducationandTraining

VIAF VictorianIndigenousAffairsFramework

RAJAC Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee

Cover Image: Victorian Aboriginal shields Source:MuseumVictoria Photographer:RobBlackburn

AuthorisedandpublishedbytheAboriginalAffairsTaskforce

DepartmentofPlanningandCommunityDevelopment

1SpringStreet Melbourne,Victoria3000 March 2012

©CopyrightStateGovernmentofVictoria2012

Thispublicationiscopyright.NopartmaybereproducedbyanyprocessexceptinaccordancewithprovisionsoftheCopyrightAct1968.

AuthorisedandpublishedbyJeanettePowell

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DesignedbyMarcusLeeDesign

ISBN978-1-921940-33-0

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