Aboriginal wellbeing
The 2024-25 Budget delivers almost $300 million in further investments focused on Closing the Gap and which specifically or predominantly promote Aboriginal wellbeing.
Economic development
- $73 million for Plan for Our Parks initiatives supporting Indigenous land use agreements with Native Title holders.
- Creating job opportunities on our major road projects, with more than 250 local Aboriginal workers engaged on the new Fitzroy River Bridge project, and 109 Aboriginal graduates through the Yaka Dandjoo employment program, which provided training and work placements on the Bunbury Outer Ring Road project.
- $9 million for Jobs and Skills Centres Aboriginal support funding, the Aboriginal Business Capability Building Program and financial counselling services delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
- $16 million for the Early Years Partnership to improve wellbeing and school readiness for children aged 0 to 4 in communities including Derby and Bidyadanga.
- $8 million for the Driver Access and Equity Program supporting employment and economic opportunities through better access to vehicle licence training.
Health and mental health
- $12 million for the Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program providing mental health support in five communities, including one youth specific program in the Kimberley, delivered by ACCOs.
- $8 million for additional health and mental health services including renal dialysis, eye services and suicide prevention.
- $5 million of additional funding for remediation of asbestos within the Yinajalan Ngarrungunil Health and Wellbeing Campus.
Community wellbeing
- $6 million for Aboriginal Representative Organisation and Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making to promote safety of children in child protection.
- $6 million for Community Liaison Officers employed by WA Police.
- $3 million for the Aboriginal Community Connectors Program to improve community engagement and safety.
Justice
- $16 million for youth justice programs including the Therapeutic Approaches in the Children’s Court of WA, providing intensive support to young offenders as an alternative to detention, expediting cases of young people from regional areas to reduce time spent on remand, and earlier targeted interventions for offenders with disabilities.
Housing and community infrastructure
- $25 million to improve energy performance for housing in Aboriginal Communities in the Kimberley and regional towns.
- $9 million to upgrade and maintain airstrips and municipal services in remote Aboriginal communities.