The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt has marked the first anniversary of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) by congratulating it on a good start ensuring the unique circumstances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are considered in the challenges 2020 has presented so far.
“We signalled a year ago when it was formed that the NIAA would change the way Government interacts with and supports Indigenous Australians,” Mr Wyatt said.
“Establishing the NIAA as an Executive Agency is more than a rebrand. This last year has seen a transition towards co-designing programs and working in partnership with communities and peak organisations to deliver projects that impact people’s lives for the better.”
He said the NIAA continued to strengthen its regional presence to underpin a growing place-based model of operating and was seeking to bring more people into the process of setting priorities and delivering outcomes.
“This is exemplified in its work over the first half of 2020, where the NIAA provided tailored assistance to Indigenous communities hit by cyclones, the tragic bushfires, and the threat of COVID-19,” Mr Wyatt said.
“It made sure people and businesses had the support they needed to get through these unprecedented sequences of crises.
‘This approach will continue to be implemented across Australia,” he said.
He said he was particularly satisfied that the Agency had worked with jurisdictions and community leaders from across Australia to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 in remote communities.
“All the while, the NIAA has continued to administer the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, ensuring it remains flexible to sustain funded organisations that have needed to adapt their programs and service offerings this year,” the Minister said.
“The Agency has achieved a lot in just one year and will continue this pace of delivery as it progresses work on the Indigenous Voice, constitutional recognition, Closing the Gap and improving mental health and wellbeing, education, economic and employment outcomes,” he said.
