The NLC - NT Indigenous Economic Stimulus Package Report 2020-2021
Date: Oct 5, 2021
Publication Type: Publications & Newsletters
In November 2020 The Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, announced a $100 million Northern Territory (NT) Indigenous Economic Stimulus Package, developed in partnership with the four NT Land Councils, to provide immediate support for Indigenous businesses, jobs and economic development in the NT.
The package will be delivered over two financial years with $60 million in FY2020-21 and $40 million in FY2021‑22.
The NLC has been allocated $36.7 million, to be delivered over two financial years with $22 million in 2020-21 and $14.7 million in 2021-22. The funds are from the Aboriginals Benefit Accounts (ABA) for Aboriginal people in the NT to create and sustain jobs through capital injections in ‘shovel-ready’ economic, social and infrastructure projects. Money will flow through targeted investments connecting Aboriginal people to pastoral, tourism, gas and mining opportunities, and help businesses prepare for an expected surge in domestic tourism over the coming period.
The funding package also provides opportunities to build skills and employment opportunities through ranger programs, learning on Country activities and workplace experiences.
The program also aims to support activities on homeland communities as well as investing in small scale Aboriginal-owned infrastructure projects with short or no lead time, that have an immediate and lasting benefit for Aboriginal people living in NLC region.
As of 30 June 2021, 66 funding applications have been received by NLC from various Indigenous businesses and Homeland Communities.
The funding will target projects based on the following Investment principles set by the Minister:
- Invest in existing Indigenous community businesses so they can adapt and deliver
- Invest in Aboriginal-owned infrastructure to connect people to economic opportunities, including pastoral, tourism, gas and mining opportunities
- Invest in building the skills of men and women on Country through rangers, learning on Country programs and workplace experiences
- Invest in small-scale infrastructure projects to create jobs and improve potential of Aboriginal land, such as fencing, water infrastructure and homelands upgrades
- Maximizing the ABA investment through co-investment and coordination with other government funding streams and corporate and philanthropic contributions.
As at 30 June 2021, 55 projects have been approved across NLC’s seven regions. The total amount of funding approved for these projects is approximately $16,785,000 and around $5,563,000 has been paid.
Applications were assessed based on the principles set by the Minister and criteria established by the NLC to ensure the viability of projects, including value for money.
The following tables provide detail on the number of applications received, approved and pending for each NLC region and funding amount. The tables also give a breakdown of the amount approved and paid for Indigenous Business and Homeland Communities, and across key industry sectors and NLC regions.
Number of applications received, approved and pending as at 30 June 2021 by region.
Total amount approved and paid as at 30 June 2021 by category.
Total amount approved and paid to Indigenous Business as at 30 June 2021 by industry.
Total amount approved as at 30 June 2021 by category and region.