The Federal Government has released a new economic development plan stating any works with over $5 million in Government funds must provide employment opportunities for indigenous Australians.

The changes will cover all future state and federal funding works. Amendments are intended to create more jobs and better economic outcomes for indigenous Australians under a renewed and expanded National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Economic Participation.

The Government is petitioning all states and territories to agree to the changes. With current public sector indigenous employment targets of 2.6 per cent due to expire in 2015, the new plan would see continued support for Aboriginal employment.

The Indigenous Opportunities Policy was launched on July 1, 2011, initially only applying to projects in areas with high indigenous populations; it will now be in place country-wide. Minister for Indigenous Employment Julie Collins says, “The new partnership will build on the achievements of the current Agreement on Indigenous Economic Participation... the current agreement has helped boost employment opportunities for indigenous people, including the creation of 1500 jobs in government service delivery."

The current Federal Indigenous Opportunities Policy is available for viewing online.