NTEU Indigenous Crossroads Submission
September 30th
The NTEU believes the proposals relating to Indigenous people outlined by the Australian Vice Chancellors Committee submission to the current Government review of higher education lack the integrated strategy necessary to achieve increased Indigenous participation and employment.
“The NTEU has provided what we believe is a comprehensive strategy that over the next decade will assist an increasing number of Indigenous peoples to participate in higher education, as well as strengthen communities through research conducted to meet community needs,” said Joel Wright, NTEU National Indigenous Officer.
These include:
· Reforming the current system of funding educational support programs and initiatives;
· Lifting the number of Indigenous staff employed by universities relative to their percentage of the population, from the current figure of 0.7% of employees at university to 2.0%;
· Developing innovative education and employment strategies that speak to the importance of culture and engagement with our communities.
“The groundwork has already been laid in the area of Indigenous employment by the leadership shown by the NTEU and the co-operation of university managements in signing onto the principle of developing Indigenous employment strategies,” said Mr Wright. “These were endorsed by the majority of higher education institutions across Australia in the last round of enterprise bargaining.”
“These claims require the establishment of institutional joint Indigenous management committees with a role to develop and implement Indigenous higher education and employment strategies and ensure strategic outcomes are achieved and, most importantly, address the higher education needs of the Indigenous communities.”
“This strategy is based on a recognition of the need to establish partnerships which engage Indigenous peoples directly in the decision making processes, including the funding, design, delivery and monitoring of Indigenous higher education programs and outcomes.”
“The Union’s efforts to improve Indigenous employment at Australian universities will be discussed further this week, when NTEU members from around the country meet in Melbourne to decide on key aims for the upcoming enterprise bargaining round for the tertiary education sector.”
The NTEU’s Indigenous Submission to the Higher Education at the Crossroads Review can be accessed at http://www.nteu.org.au/freestyler/gui/files/file3d97b3263d681.doc
For information and comment
National Indigenous Officer Joel Wright (0408525492)