Government to cut Indigenous welfare
The Indigenous Land Corporation says they are having trouble filling workplaces with Indigenous people in remote areas.They say the corporation is having to hire non-indigenous people – including backpackers – because some Indigenous people don’t want to work and choose to live on welfare.Now, the Federal Government plans to cut welfare payments for Indigenous people who refuse jobs, if they are fit to work and live within travelling distance of employment opportunities.Minister for Indigneous Affairs, Mal Brough, says laws need to be enforced to break welfare dependence in Indigenous communities.But PROFESSOR JON ALTMAN, Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, says the Government is underestimating programs such as the Community Development Employment Project, which sees Indigenous people contributing to their community.He spoke with Samantha Regione.