28 January 2004
Dr. Henry: I support the motion although Dr. Mansergh has spoken eloquently on the amendment. Senator Ross had many criticisms of FAS but he was criticising the chiefs running the programme rather than the Indians doing the work. The community employment schemes have been of great value to various organisations I have been involved with in different parts of the country.
One of the best aspects of the scheme is the fact that people can help community organisations by getting involved in the scheme. Those organisations would not be able to employ people were it not for the scheme, which has been extremely valuable. People should not think their work was not of value. Some people may feel that they had made-up jobs because the scheme has been removed from their areas or organisations, but that was never the case. They all did very valuable work.
I hope the Government takes notice of the motion, as I do not believe it is trying to do people down. People should continue to feel of value because they are of value and the majority of people in these jobs have done very good work, while criticism should be considered as being directed at the overall plans of FAS. I will be supporting the motion.
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