The First Nations Reference Group for remote employment programs held its seventh meeting in Sydney today.
The $707 million Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program announced in February 2024, will create 3,000 jobs in remote Australia, to help close the gap in employment outcomes and boost economic opportunities. It will take a community led approach to job creation and complement a new remote employment service, to be implemented in the second half of 2025.
Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, the new Minister for Indigenous Australians addressed the group and thanked them for their work in providing advice to the government on a significant reform and key election commitment.
The Reference Group acknowledged the work of the former Minister Linda Burney and her support in establishing the Reference Group. They also acknowledged her decades-long work in Indigenous affairs.
The Group reflected on its progress since it was established on 7 March 2024, including its significant contribution to the design of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines (GOGs) for RJED. The draft GOGs were released for public consultation on 11 July 2024, which was an important step forward in how the National Indigenous Australians Agency works in partnership with First Nations people on programs that will help
Close the Gap.
The Reference Group’s next meeting will be in September and will focus on how RJED and a new remote employment service need to work in together to create new jobs, develop local workforces, and achieve greater and sustainable employment of First Nations people.