The House Employment, Education and Training Committee will hear evidence from the Department of Home Affairs and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) on Wednesday, 24 February 2021 as part of its inquiry into adult literacy and its importance.
Committee Chair, Mr Andrew Laming MP said, ‘It is concerning that many migrants and Indigenous Australians may not be able to participate fully in employment, education and training, and social and civic life because of literacy and numeracy challenges.’
‘The Committee looks forward to hearing from the Department of Home Affairs and the National Indigenous Australians Agency about a range of Commonwealth-funded programs that support adult literacy and numeracy among vulnerable migrant and Indigenous populations’, Mr Laming said.
The Department of Home Affairs delivers a range of programs to assist migrants to improve their English language and other skills, including the Adult Migrant English Program, the Humanitarian Settlement Program and the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program.
The NIAA plays a key role in ensuring the outcomes of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap are achieved and delivers a range of programs that support skills development, including literacy and numeracy in Indigenous communities.
Submissions to the inquiry have been requested by Friday, 5 March 2021. Further details about upcoming public hearings will be available on the Committee’s website as the inquiry progresses.
Public hearing details
Date: Wednesday, 24 February 2021
Time: 11.30am to 1.00pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra
11:30am to 12:15pm Department of Home Affairs
12:15pm to 1:00pm National Indigenous Australians Agency
The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.
Media inquiries
Mr Andrew Laming MP, Chair
07 3821 0155
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4573
ee.reps@aph.gov.au
For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.
