5 May 2015 | General Interest
Despite Australia’s low unemployment rate and record levels of workforce participation, there are a significant number of communities in Australia experiencing entrenched disadvantage.
In April the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) released a policy perspective examining issues associated with the economics of disadvantage. The report, Addressing entrenched disadvantage in Australia, examines various issues, including entrenched disadvantage in Indigenous communities.
The report finds that, with an issue as complex as disadvantage in Indigenous communities, there is unlikely to be one single or dominant cause. There is a vast gap in employment and income differences between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians, with education, location, discrimination, health, disability, and caring all key factors.
As co-author Dr Nicholas Biddle states in his conclusion:
“Such complex issues require a careful policy response with a long-term perspective.
“Indigenous communities are diverse and local conditions and aspirations matter. Policies designed to reduce disadvantage need to be carefully evaluated and developed in genuine collaboration with affected communities.”
For more information visit the CEDA website.
