By JO HARRISON
GREATER access to employment opportunities particularly in trades and health were key areas of concern for local aboriginal elders who met with Nationals candidate for New England Barnaby Joyce and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion in Armidale and Tingha last Thursday.
The Ministers were on a three-day tour of the region visiting with local land councils, medical services and legal services to discuss their 20-year-plan.
In Armidale they toured the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place and Minimbah School. Mr Joyce and Mr Scullion were joined by fellow Senator Fiona Nash.
“We need to give aboriginal people access to senior ministers so that we can all work as a group to solve problems,” Mr Joyce said.
“You don’t go into the Cabinet room as just one person with one idea that gets knocked down you can actually have other ministers backing you up.”
Employment opportunities for young aboriginal people no longer interested in finishing their Higher School Certificate was discussed with more opportunities needed to get young people into trades.
In Armidale, access to employment with major employers like the University of New England and the council would be beneficial to young people.
“If they want to be an electrician or a fitter and turner start them off young,” Mr Joyce said.
“In discussion particularly in Tingha they found that when young people were employed as mechanics they stayed in school because there was an interest in it.”
Lifestyle issues and diabetes were also raised with the ministers who were told that many health problems within the aboriginal community could be reduced through young people having access to employment which would significantly reduce many of the poor lifestyle choices made.
