Analysis of Indigenous Economic Development Strategies in Australia

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of the Indigenous Economic Development Strategy implemented by the Australian government. It explores various policies and programs aimed at improving the economic standing of indigenous communities, focusing on education, employment, business development, and financial security. The essay examines the strategies' priorities, including strengthening the economic foundation, investing in education, developing skills and job opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship, and fostering self-reliance. It also highlights the challenges faced, such as low school participation and income disparities, while acknowledging the cultural values and diverse needs of indigenous people. The essay references several academic sources and concludes by emphasizing the importance of these strategies for indigenous economic advancement and contribution to the nation's overall development. This essay seeks to offer an understanding of the strategies, their objectives, and their impact, providing insights into the complex issues surrounding indigenous economic development in Australia.

INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Indigenous economic development strategy is the at that has been introduced by
Australian government so that opportunities and growth platform can be able to avail to people
of the nation. As to stabilize nation's wealth and development, it is playing a very vital role. This
essay study will concentrate upon the several strategies and policies that has been implemented
by authorities so that economic stage of nation can be enhanced and can get survival advantage
at international level (Coria and Calfucura, 2012). The main focus of this study is to identify all
those development aspect that has been carried out by governing authority for indigenous people
of Australia.
MAIN BODY
According to Farsani, Coelho and Costa, (2011) indigenous economic development
strategies are those plans and programs that has been introduced by nation's government so that
opportunities can be availed to the indigenous people of the society in Australia. Government of
the country is very effectively carrying out several strategies and policies so that they can be able
to develop nation's economy along with that a stability can be able to maintain. The indigenous
development strategy 2011-2018 has been launched in Sydney which has set an example to all so
that opportunities related to skill development and employment can be provided to the
indigenous people of Australia. This has also one of the major motive that is defining that
introduction of these plans will lead in involving indigenous people to contribute their shares in
economic development and can be able to enjoy benefits of financial and social aspects.
As per Fu, Pietrobelli and Soete, (2011) the main focus and concern of the strategy by
government is upon five major aspects, they are- investing in education program, strengthening
foundation so that economy can get developed, introducing several skills and job development
plans, motivating indigenous business and helping individuals with the financial support along
with that assisting in the entire community to have an independent entity. Each of these strategy
is prioritize and has specific objectives so that government can be able to take effective decisions
and according to that policies can be made.
Priorities
Strengthening foundation
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With support to the strategy Fukuda-Parr and Lopes, (2013) states that it is having some
objectives so that government can focus upon the requirement of this strategy, the aims are- to
increases the access to the safe housing, ensuring proper investment in infrastructure to develop
economy, availing access to services related to health, helping the indigenous community to
grow, helping in enhancing a very strong leadership skills, ensuring welfare and tax support and
supporting in good governing strtaegies for controlling and coordination.
Education
Education strategies has its specific motive and objective that has to be followed by
governing body they are- improving the level of studies and rates of student, helping in transition
one from school to work place and enhancing the access of education for higher level.
Skills development and job
The objectives and aims that comes under development of skills and job opportunities
are- Supporting indigenous people to get ready for jobs, helping in improving the services of
employment so that more participation of people can be done, helping the people for their job
security and improving outcomes of indigenous employment with support of government.
Business and entrepreneurship
The aim of this strategy are- supporting business that has been established by indigenous
people, providing financial as well as business plan aid to them, motivating in performing
partnership with private sector organisation and helping in increasing the economic outcomes
with assistance of investment by government.
Self reliance and financial security
It is focusing upon the several aspect such as- home ownerships are availed to the
indigenous people so that they can have financial security, helps in increasing saving and
managing financial skills and aiding them to get most benefits from their own assets.
Need of indigenous economic development
Favouring to the plan Tang and Hussler, (2011) this will support aboriginal or indigenous
people to recognise their needs so that they themselves get motivation and encouragement to
perform their own roles and responsibilities. This is to give an identity to the such people so that
they will also get respect by others. This will also very helpful as because it will help in
overcoming the under-investment in services. It need raised as because of under- development of
indigenous people in Australian society. Hence this will help in availing early stage study, to
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provide employment opportunity to the unemployed people and to avail benefits that they are not
provided yet. Government is very effectively working upon 2011-2018 strategy so that healthy &
safe life. Supportive family, local leadership safe houses can be offered to the aboriginal people.
(Source: Indigenous people making handicraft products, 2017.
http://www.caritas.org.au/learn/countries/australia)
Investment
Australian government is very much concern about each and every step that they are
taking. All the required resources are appropriately managed so that no negative impact get fall
upon the development plan. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan
2010–14 was introduced so that they can get the basic and required education which will help
them in getting good opportunities ahead. IOP was implemented in the year 2011, in July month.
Under this program suppliers won $5 million also for their effective and approachable work.
Remote participation and other employment program has also been introduced and large amount
is been invested in this.
Challenges
Coria and Calfucura, (2012) said against the fact that the strategies are very strong the
effective but there are very challenges that come across the development program. It has been
analysed that there are very less young people who can avail the study benefits in school. It has
been also evaluated that there are labours are very low and is not participating enthusiastically. It
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Indigenous people making handicraft products

seems that they tends to stay unemployed for longer and the level of income earned by them is
half than of non indigenous people.
Diversity and strengths
Contradictory to discussion Farsani, Coelho and Costa, (2011) stated that there are not
always positive side, negative impact is also there. He said that Indigenous people are having
their own values and culture that is very much considered by the nation's government while
introducing any kind of strategies and plans. 20% of land is been owned by indigenous people.
As opportunities and challenges are very different from urban, regional and remote areas, it is
very essential to have a flexible opportunities that can be adapted. According to the diverse
culture and values, vocational training programs has to be implemented, innovative solutions and
remedies has to be introduced so that they can be able to develop the economies.
Opportunities
With support to the argument Fu, Pietrobelli and Soete, (2011) said that there are very
shortage of workforces in various sectors such as the health care, mining, engineering. Hence
there are chances that unemployed indigenous people can be able to get good opportunity to
work at such places prior to that a proper education and training session has to be provided to
them so that they can be able to perform their best in several fields.
From the discussion it has been analysed that the strategy that has been introduced by the
Australian government is very effective and supportive but many authors has denied and stated
that there are many challenges and difficulties that may lead to a negative outcome. Many
investments has been made but there are changes where the strategy does not reflect a positive
return. There are some circumstances where Australian government will face numerous issues
that can affect the entire introduced strategy.
CONCLUSION
This essay has focused upon the numerous plans that are very much required in Australia
especially for the indigenous or aboriginal people living there. They are not actually getting the
benefits as they are separated people from the society. As to develop they economy it is very
essential for them to contribute their part towards nation. Hence government has introduced
indigenous economic development strategy 2011-2018, which is prioritising upon 5 major aspect
which will help these people to get their rights and along with that they can get several
opportunities to groom themselves.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Coria, J. and Calfucura, E., 2012. Ecotourism and the development of indigenous communities:
The good, the bad, and the ugly. Ecological Economics. 73. pp.47-55.
Farsani, N. T., Coelho, C. and Costa, C., 2011. Geotourism and geoparks as novel strategies for
socio‐economic development in rural areas. International Journal of Tourism Research.
13(1). pp.68-81.
Fu, X., Pietrobelli, C. and Soete, L., 2011. The role of foreign technology and indigenous
innovation in the emerging economies: technological change and catching-up. World
development. 39(7). pp.1204-1212.
Fukuda-Parr, S. and Lopes, C. eds., 2013. Capacity for development: new solutions to old
problems. Routledge.
Tang, M. and Hussler, C., 2011. Betting on indigenous innovation or relying on FDI: The
Chinese strategy for catching-up. Technology in Society. 33(1). pp.23-35.
Online
Indigenous Economic Development Strategy. 2015. [Online]. Available through:
<https://ministers.employment.gov.au/arbib/indigenous-economic-development-
strategy>. [Accessed on 19th August 2017].