Policy
OVERVIEW Policy, part of Cape York Institute (CYI), champions reform in Indigenous economic and social policy, focussed on Cape York issues but which also have a national influence. It has been a leading driver of Indigenous policy reform since 2004. The centrepiece of Policy’s work has been Cape York Welfare Reform (CYWR), implemented in Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge. The CYWR trial from 2008, the evolution of the approach based on the lessons learnt, and the development of further reforms within the Empowered Communities framework, remain Australia’s pre-eminent policy initiatives through which a holistic reform agenda is pursued to tackle passive welfare and promote Indigenous development. Policy, with its many partners, has led a shift in the approach to Indigenous affairs from ‘business as usual’ that has seen Indigenous disadvantage continue to worsen, to a new reform paradigm. It has championed Indigenous-led reforms across a wide range of areas including to: • • • •
confront alcohol addiction as a cause of dysfunction rebalance rights with Indigenous responsibility, including through the introduction of conditional welfare rebuild Indigenous leadership and local authority, including through CYI’s leadership programs and the Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC) reform Indigenous educational attendance and attainment, including through the introduction of Direct Instruction teaching methods by the Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy to lift the performance of schools.
This work has triggered fundamental shifts across the Australian political landscape and its lexicon—the results have had benefits beyond the Indigenous people of Cape York; they are a key influence on efforts to address disadvantage in Australia generally.
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Family Empowerment Report // January–June 2021
