Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I table the explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows—

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION (TARGETED ASSISTANCE) AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 2) 2013

The Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Bill 2013 makes administrative amendments to the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000.

The IETA Act enables targeted education funding to provide valuable additional support to Indigenous students.

All children, but particularly disadvantaged Indigenous children, need access to a proper education. This Bill ensures the Government can continue to deliver targeted education programmes to Indigenous student through IETA programmes, including programmes that have a clear focus on supporting the Government's priority of increasing school attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

The Bill addresses changes from the 2013-14 Budget resulting in IETA being administered as an Annual appropriation rather than a Special Appropriation. This change to the funding mechanism better aligns IETA programmes and payment with other similar payments and provides greater transparency and accountability.

This amendment enables me, as Minister for Indigenous Affairs, to enter into funding agreements with service providers from 1 January 2014 for targeted education programmes delivered under the IETA Act.

The Australian Government is committed to working with states and territories to ensure that right around Australia, Indigenous children go to school. This Bill reaffirms our commitment to increasing school attendance and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families and communities through the delivery of targeted programmes.

Debate adjourned.

Ordered that further consideration of the second reading of this bill is adjourned to 2 December 2013, in accordance with standing order 111.