An Inland Rail Indigenous Participation Plan (IRIPP) is aimed at ensuring local communities share in employment opportunities granted by the construction and operation of the major project.
Transport and infrastructure minister Michael McCormack recently said the IRIPP had already led to practical workforce targets being implemented, with a goal of 50 per cent local and 10 per cent Aboriginal employment for the Parkes to Narromine section of the project.
“Inland Rail will deliver 16,000 direct and indirect jobs – not just through construction, but also those that flow on from construction – and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are an essential part of this prime outcome,” McCormack said.
The IRIPP is driven by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and backed by the Federal Government.
“The transformational Inland Rail project is about more than just building a 1,700-kilometre rail line,” McCormack added, “it is about opening up new and exciting social and economic opportunities for inland Australia.”
Finance minister Mathias Cormann said clear and accountable employment targets would ensure the benefits of Inland Rail were felt by local economies and communities.
“Local employment and Indigenous employment are critical to maximising the local benefits of the Inland Rail and ensuring regional communities are front and centre of this developing success story,” the senator said.
“[Inland Rail] will deliver economic opportunities for the regions by moving food and fibre between Melbourne and Brisbane in larger volumes on double-stacked trains and more cost-efficiently. This means more money in the pockets of local farmers and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who will also re-invest that money back into inland Australia.”
Indigenous affairs minister Nigel Scullion said the program reflected the critical priority the Australian Government was making of enhancing employment opportunities for Indigenous adults.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion said the IRIPP was exactly the type of initiative to assist the Australian Government’s goal of encouraging and delivering more jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
“This IPP is about creating opportunities for Aboriginal people – whether through training, employment, or procurement services – to participate in the transformational Inland Rail infrastructure project,” Scullion said.
“Every person employed or trained through the Inland Rail will develop new skills and expertise which will enhance their future, long-term employment opportunities and strengthen the capacity of their local communities.”