Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has taken up the fight for Regional Enterprise Development Institute (REDI.E) after the Indigenous service provider found out its funding will be cut later this year.
Mr Coulton advised REDI.E recently received a letter from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) informing the organisation that its contract would conclude at the end of October because it does not meet the criteria for an extension of its Community Development Program (CDP) service agreement.
The letter stated the decision was due to “a range of factors, most notably consistent under performance in the last three Provider Performance Reviews”.
Mr Coulton said this decision is extremely disappointing.
“This is a devastating blow, not only for the staff and clients that REDI.E supports but for all of Western NSW,” Mr Coulton said.
“REDI.E is a fantastic service and jobs provider for Indigenous communities in Western NSW, with a proud 25-year history.
“It’s an Indigenous owned and operated organisation that has been working hard to close the gap in communities across the Murdi Paaki region, including Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cobar, Collarenebri, Coonamble, Enngonia, Goodooga, Gulargambone, Ivanhoe, Lightning Ridge, Menindee, Walgett, Weilmoringle, Wentworth and Wilcannia.
“I just cannot understand how the NIAA can justify terminating this contract when it’s clear that REDI.E is making positive change,” Mr Coulton said.
“Excluding REDI.E from service delivery from October until June next year could create a significant gap in services, affecting the livelihoods of about 1,000 Indigneous people in my electorate.
“For a Government that claims to be so supportive of Indigenous Australians, why would they cut the funding of an organisation that is actually making a difference on the ground?”
Mr Coulton met with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney’s staff and representatives from the Department last week for clarification on the decision to terminate REDI.E’s contract.
“Quite frankly, I’m not satisfied with the explanation they provided,” Mr Coulton said.
“I’ve been told that the reason the contract has been terminated is due to minor compliance issues – not corruption or a failure to meet targets.
“That is simply not good enough.”
It’s believed a number of other organisations have also been underperforming and it’s unknown how many of those have received letters from NIAA advising their funding would also be cut.
“I’ve also been speaking with Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price who is also appalled at this decision.
“I will continue to advocate for REDI.E and hope that this decision can be reversed,” Mr Coulton said…see this week’s edition for full report.
