Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy (centre) gets an insight into the lives of Wujal Wujal Nursery & Market Garden workers employed under the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program. Photos: Supplied.
*Redacted last names
A program offering dignity of work, decent wages and a chance to support community priorities is changing the lives of First Nations locals on Cape York.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy visited workers employed under the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program in Cape Tribulation, Wujal Wujal and Cooktown last week, following a third round of grants earlier this year to fund 1500 jobs across the country.
Her first stop was the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bamanga Muruku Tourism Hub at Cape Tribulation on 16 June, where she met the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation. The community employer has created 11 new jobs through the RJED program, including an employment and training officer, hospitality workers, tour guides, and a culture and language officer.
Senator McCarthy then travelled to Wujal Wujal to engage with employees at the Wujal Wujal Nursery & Market Garden, gaining an insight into the workers’ lives as she planted a finger lime with them, before heading to Cooktown to meet one of three RJED workers employed at the Kuku Bulkaway Gallery.
Worker Chaysley * said the job was not only fulfilling for himself, but also allowed him to become a better role model.
“It’s good to come to work and learn something new every day, and also teach my kids about fruit and veggies,” he said.
“I like helping the community, learning about native plants and trees and teaching it to the young generations.”
Green-thumbed Clinique * expressed her pride in the 100 seedlings the nursery is raising as part of the Bloomfield River regeneration project.
“I love gardening. I always go home at the end of the day with a smile on my face, telling my families what I’ve done,” she said.
“You grow things not just for yourself but for community and others, like bringing in bush medicines or bush foods for old folks.”
In February 2026, the Federal Government announced its plan to double the RJED program from 3000 to 6000 jobs by 2030, with an additional $299 million investment.
Senator McCarthy said it had been fantastic to see the program’s positive impacts first-hand.
“Our Remote Jobs program is changing lives in remote communities, creating jobs and delivering the dignity of work with decent pay and conditions,” she said.
“A secure job with decent wages and conditions helps more than just the individual — it strengthens families and communities.
“Having a job and the dignity of work is a big part of Closing the Gap; that’s why we’re doubling the number of jobs being created under our Remote Jobs program.”
RJED worker Clinique * is proud to serve her community as part of the Bloomfield River regeneration program.
Original Article published by Chisa Hasegawa on Cape York Weekly.
