First steps: Committee tables Interim Report on Indigenous education

THE Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs today tabled an interim report as part of its Inquiry into Educational Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Although the Committee did not have an opportunity to fulfil its planned hearing program, issues raised by the community were so significant that the Committee resolved to release interim findings and recommendations for the Minister’s urgent consideration.

The Interim Report recommends that:

• ABSTUDY be overhauled and redesigned with the new system being fully operational by 30 June 2017
• the Government rectify the current gender imbalance in Commonwealth funding provided to Indigenous girls’ and boys’ programs, and ensure that future grants are gender equitable
• the Minister for Indigenous Affairs re-refer the inquiry to the Committee in the new Parliament so to ensure that the Committee may finish this vital work. 

Further information on the inquiry, including a full copy of the report is available on the Committee website at www.aph.gov.au/educationalopportunities.  

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