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Continuing income management in Cape York
supplied by Office of Fed Min Indigenous Affairs 22 November 2013
T
he Australian Government will continue income management as part of Cape York Welfare Reform in the four participating communities of Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge for another two years. The Minister for Social Services, Kevin Andrews, and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Nigel Scullion, said the extension formed part of the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, introduced Wednesday and signals the Government’s commitment to building on the positive impacts of the reform measures to date. “The Family Responsibilities Commission has used income management as a useful tool to deliver positive outcomes for the
Senator Nigel Scullion with students. Image supplied
four communities involved in the Cape York Welfare Reform,” Mr Andrews said. “Cape York Welfare Reform Evaluation 2012 found that income management is helping ensure the basic needs of individuals and families are being met in Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge. “The continuation of income management to December 2015 as part of Cape York Welfare Reform will ensure residents continue to build on the significant benefits achieved to date to support their families and communities.” Senator Scullion said that welfare reform was having positive impacts on the lives of people living in the four communities. “Since this reform began in July 2008, the four communities have generated improvements such as more children going to school,
parents taking more care and personal responsibility for their children as well as restoring local Indigenous authority,” Senator Scullion said. “We want these positive results to continue for families in Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge and we know that income management, together with the broader supports of Cape York Welfare Reform, is playing an important role in enabling positive change in these communities.” Cape York Welfare Reform is a partnership between the Australian Government, the Queensland Government and the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership. It aims to restore local Indigenous authority, rebuild social norms, encourage positive behaviours, and improve economic and living conditions in the participating communities.
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