10/11/05
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance today congratulated the Department of Agriculture Western Australia and the Commonwealth's Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) for winning a silver award in the prestigious Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Sector Management.
Mr Chance said last night’s recognition of Western Australia’s world-renowned Kimberley Indigenous Management Support Project endorsed the State Government’s commitment to providing opportunities to all Western Australians.
“This project wins awards because it works,” he said.
“It focuses on improving management practices and developing the skills of indigenous enterprise directors, managers and workers.
“This is no quick fix scheme - it delivers people the skills they need to run their own enterprises and make them thrive.”
Mr Chance announced in September that State Government support for the project, a joint initiative of the WA Department of Agriculture and the ILC, in partnership with indigenous pastoral landowners, would continue and expand.
The Minister said the operation of the project and the commitment to expand over the next five years also stood as an excellent example of State and Commonwealth co-operation in indigenous economic development.
“The project certainly deserves this recognition for its commitment to increasing the profitability and sustainability of the Kimberley Aboriginal pastoral industry,” he said.
“Through this project, the department has made a formal commitment to improving the well-being of indigenous people and recognising the valuable role they play in managing and utilising the State’s agricultural and pastoral resources.”
Mr Chance said the Kimberley Indigenous Management Support Project was recognised in March 2004 by the United Nations as a model strategy to enhance the sustainability of indigenous people.
The project also won the Premier’s Overall Award for Excellence in Public Sector Management in 2004.
“The Gallop Government is providing new opportunities for Western Australians,” the Minister said.
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