Government Events

Government and charities celebrate Reconciliation Week

AAP May 31, 2016

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National Reconciliation Week is taking place between the 27th May and 3rd June in order to increase awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

The government has made Indigenous issues a major priority during the election campaign.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will pledge $115 million for a plan to ramp up Indigenous business.

The announcement includes $90 million for an Indigenous entrepreneur fund to provide grants to businesses for infrastructure, as well as funding to link businesses with finance and help them access programs and opportunities.

Recognise campaign director Tanya Hosch said, “Consistent data shows that the Australian community supports the strong need to fix our constitution to tell our country’s whole story and deal with the racial discrimination in our highest legal document.”

Many charities are also getting on board with National Reconciliation Week such as The Smith Family.

The Smith Family’s CEO Dr Lisa O’Brien said, “Working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and communities to improve educational outcomes for children and young people is at the heart of our 2013-2016 Reconciliation Action Plan.”

“Working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, our Learning for Life program helps children to be engaged in learning through positive educational experiences, opportunities to grow skills and access to role models,” said O’Brien.

“Just last month we released new research showing strong school attendance rates for Learning for Life students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, at 87.3 per cent.”

The Smith Family will be involved in and hosting a range of events across the country throughout National Reconciliation Week.