Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements Project

Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) on Indigenous Employment in Ashburton/Roebourne
Date:	4 October 2007
Date To:	30 June 2012
Sub Category:	Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA)
Place:	Ashburton/Roeburne
State/Country:	Western Australia, Australia

Alternative Names:	Ashburton Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) Roeburne Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA)
Subject Matter:	Employment and Training
Summary Information:
The Regional Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Employment ('RPA') in Ashburton/Roeburne between the Asburton Aboriginal Corporation, Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation, Ngarluma Yndjibarndi Foundation Limited, Marnda Mia CNC Pty Ltd, Buurabalayji Thalanyji Associaion Inc, Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, Yamatji Marlpa, Pilbara Iron/Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Woodside Energy, Fortescue Metal Group, local governments, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the State Government of Western Australia was signed on 4 October 2007. It is the third RPA building upon the Memorandum of Understanding between the Minerals Council of Australia and the Commonwealth Government. The RPA is a commitment by the parties to work together towards 'significant and measurable improvements in Indigenous employment outcomes.' It nominates a target of reducing Indigenous unemployment by half and placing 110 additional full time jobs a year in the Ashburton/Roeburne region over the next five years (RPA 2007, 2).
Detailed Information:
Principles The RPA is based on principles of collaboration and partnership drawn from the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding between the Minerals Council of Australia and the Commonwealth Government and the National Framework Principles for Service Delivery to Indigenous Australians which were endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in 2004 (see links below). The RPA is not intended to give rise to any enforceable rights or binding obligations (RPA 2007, 2). Priorities, Objectives and Outcomes In order to achieve the agreement's aims, parties to the RPA will focus on three key priority areas - namely, work readiness, sustainability of employment outcomes and Indigenous business development. Each priority area incorporates specific project plans detailing areas to support employment improvements. The RPA provides for seven projects in total, including: - (Work Readiness) Education and Training; - (Work Readiness) Drivers Licence Program; - (Work Readiness) Drug and Alcohol Support; - (Work Readiness) Youth Pathways; - (Sustainability) Child Care; - (Sustainability) Housing; and - (Business Development) Indigenous Business Development (RPA 2007, 10). The expected outcomes of the RPA include: 'Increased employability and jobs for Indigenous people from the Ashburton/Roebourne region; An increase in sustainable Indigenous business enterprises in the Ashburton/Roebourne region; Prosperity for Indigenous people that will endure beyond the life of mining in the region; A strong partnership between Industry and Government that works with Indigenous people locally to generate solutions to complex issues in the Ashburton/Roebourne region; A Regional Partnership Committee to progress implementation; and A methodology for working together that includes regional frameworks and the promotion of best practice' (RPA 2007, 4). Performance Measurement and Evaluation The Parties agreed to a formal evaluation of the RPA in July 2008 against timeframes and key indicators detailed in project plans. For the remaining operation of the RPA, evaluation will be conducted on an annual basis (RPA 2007, 6). The RPA provides for the establishment of the Ashburton/Roeburne Regional Partnership Committe, comprising representatives of the parties to the RPA. In addition to overseeing and managing the implemententation of the RPA, the Committee will monitor an Implementation Team, and will meet at least on a quarterly basis. It will be assisted by the Western Cape Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC). Consisting of representatives of the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments, the Implementation Team will report to the Committee and will work with parties and the broader community towards the Agreement outcomes (RPA 2007, 5). The Agreement may also be terminated or replaced with the agreement of all parties.