2.1 Governance arrangements
The governance framework is based on the principles of responsibility and accountability and engagement with the Aboriginal community, through their representation on the Regional Partnership Committee (RPC), and the Green Team Development Unit Aboriginal Corporation (GTDUAC). Both these structures will work together to achieve the objectives in this Agreement. They will also work towards further progressing the development of this Agreement into other business areas and employment markets.
The composition of the RPC will consist of members drawn from various stakeholder groups. The RPC will then advertise for expressions of interest from both stakeholder and community groups to recruit members to the GTDUAC. Members will appoint directors to the Board of the GTDUAC. Sections 2.2 and 2.3 outline the roles and responsibilities of the RPC and GTDUAC and proposed membership of those structures.
The GTDUAC Constitution will contain provisions and guidelines for liaison and reporting to the RPC when the RPC meets. The Australian Government representative on the RPC will be responsible for providing reports and feedback about the progress of the Agreement after each RPC meeting to the State Manager of FaHCSIA and the State Manager of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
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2.2 Regional Partnership Committee (RPC)
The role of the RPC will be to:
- provide strategic leadership for the Agreement, ensuring a cohesive and coordinated approach between all parties;
- agree on new priorities and areas for joint action, including leading negotiations or additional projects/schedules to the Agreement;
- oversee and monitor the implementation of the Agreement, including problem solving and address any lack of progress with its implementation;
- review the progress of the Agreement including overseeing the performance management of the Agreement – monitoring the progress of projects, analysis of performance reports and addressing poor performance;
- be responsible for dispute resolution; and
- ensure objectives and outcomes in the Agreement are achieved.
The RPC meetings may be held in the conference/meeting rooms at the Indigenous Coordination Centre Coffs Harbour (ICC). FaHCSIA staff at the ICC will provide secretariat services for the RPC.
The RPC will consist of:
- 3 Industry experts (as required);
- 6 Aboriginal employment and training representatives;
- 6 Aboriginal landowner representatives;
- 1 Local Government representative;
- 1 State Government representative;
- 1 Australian Government representative; and
- 1 Industry representative.
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2.3 Green Team Development Unit Aboriginal Corporation (GTDUAC)
The GTDUAC is an economic and business development unit, which serves to harness the potential of the Aboriginal Green Teams (AGTs) in the region through the provision of commercial work opportunities and business support services for AGTs to develop their own businesses. Attachment 3 shows the Unit structure and the potential growth of the GTDUAC.
The role of the GTDUAC is to:
- Undertake research across the region to establish the baseline for reporting employment outcomes to the Agreement partners;
- identify and secure commercial contracts with Industry for AGTs;
- provide mentoring support to AGTs;
- support AGT development/capacity building;
- advise contract management;
- facilitate marketing concepts and ideas;
- provide business management and project management services;
- coordinate and facilitate arrangements with training providers, TAFE and Employment Services Providers; and
- to have a strategy to ensure jobs are sustainable.
The governments agree to provide funding to support the GTDUAC establishment and operational costs for three financial years, commencing 2009-2010. The governments in their discretion will determine the levels of funding. After three years, the GTDUAC must be self-sufficient. This will be achieved through earning revenue from commission (from successful tenders and contracts) and administrative fees for managing funding. It is anticipated that the GTDUAC will be able to secure $2m of contracts for AGTs in the first year, $4m in the second year and $6m in the third year. The financial projections show that the GTDUAC will have net positive cash flows for each year of its operation.
The GTDUAC will negotiate with AGTs to reach an agreement about the business/working relationship they will have and the support services they will provide to AGTs.
The GTDUAC will provide progress reports to the RPC four times a year when the RPC meets.