4 May 2015 | General Interest
The Australian Government Senate Inquiry into the Commonwealth Indigenous Advancement Strategy tendering process has received many submissions from organisations across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and family sector.
In March an inquiry into the fractured rollout of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) funding was announced, with submissions to be received by 30 April.
Several key organisations that work closely with the institutes and centres most affected by the IAS funding process have published their submissions. Amongst them are the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), the Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS), Save the Children Australia, and Family & Relationship Services Australia (FRSA).
The rollout of the IAS has come under heavy criticism for confusion surrounding applications and results, as well as a lack of transparency as to which organisations received funding, and which did not.
When a list of successful applicants was released the sector was shocked to find several state government departments, universities, churches, and a number of sporting organisations – including Athletics Australia, Australian Rugby Union, and Swimming Australia – amongst the recipients.
As the VACCA submissions explains:
“It is disappointing to know that when there are Aboriginal communities in great need that funding ostensibly allocated for Indigenous Advancement is open to competition from the mainstream sector including sporting and statutory bodies.”
The inquiry is considering the impact on service quality, efficiency and sustainability of the recent Commonwealth Indigenous Advancement Strategy tendering process by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. For the specific areas of focus visit the Senate Committee website.
To gain further insight into the concerns of the sector, please download the following submissions:
- VACCA Submission to Senate Inquiry into the Commonwealth Indigenous Advancement Strategy Tendering Processes
- WACOSS Submission: Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration: Inquiry into the impact on service quality, efficiency and sustainability of recent Commonwealth Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) tendering processes by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Save the Children Australia – Tendering under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy
- Family & Relationship Services Australia – Commonwealth Indigenous Advancement Strategy tendering processes submission
