The final report of the Western Australian Review into Industry
Training for Aboriginal Pastoralists: Lands of Promise and
Opportunity - Aboriginal Pastoralism in Western Australia is
now available.
The review panel, chaired by Central Kimberley-Pilbara MLA Tom
Stephens, included representatives from Government and industry
with interests in pastoralism and indigenous business.
While the report confirmed that pastoralism can act as a
catalyst for economic development of Aboriginal communities in the
rangelands, on balance economic independence has not been delivered
and young Aboriginal people in pastoral areas no longer pursue
careers in the pastoral industry as a first priority.
To rectify the situation, the report recommended three
strategies, firstly a change to pastoral leases to increase land
use flexibility and stronger land management outcomes; the
establishment of a Indigenous Pastoral Enterprise Development
(IPED) service to work collaboratively with existing services and
finally, a suite of leadership, training and skill development
initiatives based around the Indigenous pastoral estate. It was
also observed that a number of aspects of these strategies may very
well be beneficial to the wider pastoral industry.
The WA government responded immediately, announcing the
Indigenous Pastoral Enterprise Development (IPED) service, a
collaboration between the Pastoral Lands Board in the Department
for Planning and Infrastructure and the Aboriginal Economic
Development Division in the Department of Industry and Resources,
would commence operations immediately.
The final report of the Review into Industry Training for
Aboriginal Pastoralists is available on line at www.dpi.wa.gov.au/RITAP or by
calling the Pastoral Lands Board on 08 9347 5126.
