THE HON JULIA GILLARD MP
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion
THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Member for Lingiari, Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery
THE HON KARL HAMPTON MLA
Northern Territory Minister for Central Australia
28 May 2010
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, the Northern Territory Minister for Central Australia, Karl Hampton, and the Federal Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon today opened new facilities at the Desert Peoples Centre designed to improve Vocational Education and Training for students in Central Australia.
Ms Gillard said the construction of the Desert Peoples Centre Administration and Services Buildings was funded by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments to accommodate the centre’s education, training and administration services.
The initiative is an excellent example of the two Governments pooling resources, with the Australian Government providing $8.4 million towards and the Northern Territory Government contributing $10.4 million.
The five new building groups constructed will provide students with access to industry-standard equipment and facilities, enhancing their studies at the centre.
Mr Hampton said the Desert People’s Centre would improve employment opportunities for Indigenous people in Central Australians and boost the regional economy.
"The Desert People’s Centre is a partnership between two organisations, the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Batchelor Institute, with wide experience in providing training, education and development opportunities for Indigenous Australians," Mr Hampton said.
"These new facilities will improve students’ skills, help grow out local workforce in Central Australia and provide more economic opportunities for people living in remote areas," he said.
Mr Snowdon said the modern facilities will provide local students with invaluable experience before they enter the workforce.
"Students who complete training here will have access to use state-of-the-art equipment that’s being used by industry, giving them even more confidence to enter the job market," he said.
"The skills taught here at the Desert Peoples Centre will have ongoing benefits to our local community for many years to come, helping us grow stronger as a community.
"The Rudd Government is committed to investing in facilities that help Australians invest in their future and this project here is evidence of that," Mr Snowdon said.
The $8.4 million grant for the Desert Peoples Centre was provided under the Australian Government’s National Training Infrastructure Program which funds the purchase, construction, fit-out or refurbishment of facilities for Vocational Education and Training.
Photos are available at www.flickr.com/warrensnowdon
Deputy Prime Minister’s Press Office: 02 6277 7758 or media@dpm.gov.au