First Nations last for jobs
THE indigenous unemployment rate in Townsville is more than double that of the non- indigenous rate, according to a government report.
The State of the Regions 2018- 2019: Trade, Jobs, Growth and Inequality report, released in Canberra, finds some Australian regions are experiencing lower levels of growth in household wealth and higher rates of unemployment.
The national indigenous unemployment rate sat at 23.9 per cent, with 47.9 per cent of the indigenous population in Townsville not in the labour force.
From 2006 to 2016 the nonindigenous employment rate was stable at 72 per cent, while the indigenous employment rate fell from 48 per cent to 46.6 per cent over the same period.
However, during the same period, the employment rate for indigenous women increased from 39 per cent to 44.8 per cent.
Narissa Murray is an indigenous woman who completed a traineeship in 2016, and now works at TAFE Queensland as a business support administrator at the Pimlico campus.
Ms Murray said some indigenous people were made to feel ashamed of their skin colour from society.
“We need to give those people a chance,” she said.
“It’s very important if we’re going to break the cycle that we support those people.
“We need more indigenous traineeships and on- the- job training to help people find employment.”
Ms Murray became a mother at a young age, and said having a qualification and training were important for moving forward.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion said the Federal Government was committed to closing the gap in employment outcomes between indigenous and nonindigenous Australians.
“We are proud that First Australians have shared in the 1 million jobs we have created since we have been in government,” he said.
“Since the Government came to office in September 2013 and to the end of February 2018, our mainstream employment programs have resulted in 139,940 indigenous job placements.”
Federal MP Cathy O’Toole said she was happy to hear the employment rate in some sections of the indigenous community had improved.
“It’s a really good outcome, but it is still distressing that 23.9 per cent of First Nations’ people are unemployed,” she said. “The Turnbull Government is letting us down.
“I will continue to fight for jobs in our region.”