An independent survey has found that poor evaluation, lack of consultation and poorly designed programs are the main factors in a lack of results for the $5.9bn annual spend on Indigenous affairs.
The survey, conducted by the Centre for Independent Studies, found that less than ten per cent of a total of 1082 programs had ever been evaluated and of those evaluated, few were conducted using methods that could provide evidence of program effectiveness.
Among the issues noted in the survey; a massive concentration of services in some communities and the implementation of programs without consulting communities as to whether they were required.
Roebourne in Western Australia, with a population of 1150, was found to have 67 local service providers and more than 400 state and federal funded programs.
In one instance an East Arnhem Land community with no notable history of suicides was required to undergo suicide awareness training while $107mn marked for suicide prevention work in WA went unspent.
The report comes two years after a major reshuffle of Indigenous affairs funding, which saw 150 separate programs downsized into five streams under the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Author of the report, Sara Hudson from the Centre for Independent Studies, says the government doesn’t know if there’s enough money relative to need or if it’s being wasted.
