[Greens-Media] Government need to rethink ILC and IBA merger - Greens

[Faerber, Jennifer (Sen C. Milne)]

Media Release
5 May 2014

Government need to rethink ILC and IBA merger - Greens

The Australian Greens today expressed concern about the Government's plans to merge IBA and ILC saying that the Government should not proceed with their plans given the Ernst and Young (EY) report.

"The EY review commissioned by the Government makes a number of important points but the report clearly says the preferred option is that the IBA and ILC should be stand-alone organisations, albeit with some reconfiguration" said Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.

"The Minister for Indigenous Affairs seems to have dismissed the report saying it is confusing and that they offer two alternatives. The report does in fact articulate a preferred option.

"The preferred option however is different to the Government's preferred option, that is, the Government wants to merge the 2 agencies while the EY preferred approach is for stand-alone organisations.

"Clearly the Minister doesn't like the fact that the report doesn't say what he wants it to say.

"IBA and ILC have different roles, both can play a role in Indigenous economic development but ILC must continue the role it was set up to do in 'honouring the land promise'.

"In light of the EY report the Government should rethink its approach to both organisations, instead of merging the two organisations it should look at how it can enhance the role that both organisations can play in Indigenous economic development" conclude Senator Rachel Siewert.