Andrew Leigh

Campaign Media Release

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus

Member for Fraser Andrew Leigh

NEW GRANTS FOR NATIVE TITLE ANTHROPOLOGY

The Rudd Labor Government is providing over $1.75 million to attract a new generation of anthropologists to native title work and to    encourage senior anthropologists to stay on in the field.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC and Member for Fraser Dr Andrew Leigh today visited the Australian National University to  announce Native Title Anthropologist Grants for the next three years.

“I congratulate the successful recipients and welcome their contributions to the native title anthropology sector,” Mr Dreyfus said.

“These projects will provide a range of programs, including training for junior anthropologists, field work programs, an Indigenous internship and research placements.”

The successful recipients are:

• The Australian National University Centre for Native Title Anthropology


• The Aurora Project


• Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation


• James Cook University


• South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council


• A joint project between La Trobe University and Native Title Services Victoria

“These applications best addressed the program’s priority areas of need and will benefit the native title anthropology sector as a whole,” Mr Dreyfus said.

The ANU’s Centre for Native Title Anthropology will receive $677,050 over three years to expand the capacity of groups working with native title claimants around Australia.

“The funding will ensure representative bodies working on native title with Indigenous communities are more responsive,” said Dr Leigh.

“Better cultural mapping and recording ‘on country’ will help speed up the native title process.”

Since 2007, the Rudd Labor Government has invested in education and employment services across the country.

The Coalition must disclose if this funding will be one of the cuts Tony Abbott will make if he becomes Prime Minister.

A total of $1,751,000 over the financial years 2013-16 is available in this funding round and is already included in the Budget.

The priority areas of the Native Title Anthropologist Grant Program are:

• Training and development for anthropologists to smooth the transition from study to native title field work.


• Professional development and support for anthropologists working in the native title sector.


• Strengthening linkages between academic and applied anthropological work.

Details of all projects funded over the first four years of the program are available on the Attorney-General’s Department’s website under: Native Title Anthropologist Grants Program.

CANBERRA

27 AUGUST 2013