10 August 2008
The 10th Garma Festival of Traditional Culture
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP discusses the opportunities that Defence can offer Indigenous people, and in turn what Indigenous people offer Australia through their service to the nation, at the Garma Festival of Traditional Culture.
Nationally, Indigenous unemployment figures are about three times higher than the rest of Australia and higher again in the Territory.
Through improving Indigenous employment and economic participation, Defence can make long-term improvements in life outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Indigenous people have been involved in the nation’s military history, protecting the country since before World War I and are currently serving in the theatres of operation around the globe.
In the tradition of utilising valuable local knowledge of the land, the first Regional Force Surveillance Unit (RFSUs) was formed in 1981 and was called the North West Mobile Force – NORFORCE.
Due to the success of NORFORCE, two additional RFSUs were formed in 1985. They are the Pilbara regiment in West Australia and the 51 Far North Queensland Regiment based out Cairns and working throughout Cape York.
These units provide an essential capability for the security of Australia, while also assisting to make Defence a significant employer of Indigenous Australians.
More: The Mutual Benefits of Indigenous Employment in Defence |
