This media statement is listed on behalf of the National Native Title Council of which the GLSC is a member

The NNTC supports the goal of 50,000 jobs over two years set by the Australian Employment Covenant (AEC), recently launched by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Australian Children’s Trust (ACT) founder Andrew Forrest.  

“The covenant is in line with indigenous people’s own strong desire to better equip themselves for seizing long-term training and employment opportunities,” said NNTC Chairperson Brian Wyatt.  

“It is important, however, that the covenant sets realistic and sustainable goals, with industry and government both committing to driving the AEC through both good and bad economic times.  

“Indigenous people have been promised much over the years by both industry and government, but so far there have been minimal long-term benefits or results.  

“We must avoid past experiences where similar pronouncements in boom times caused Aboriginal people’s hopes to soar, but their hopes were cruelly dashed when the boom receded and commitments to jobs and skilling were withdrawn,” Mr Wyatt said.

Media contact:   Brian Wyatt  0417 970413; David Berry 0417 963089