Release type: Joint Media Release

Date:

Learn. Earn. Legend! AFL Indigenous Employment Expo Darwin

Ministers:

Senator the Hon Mark Arbib
Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development
Minister for Sport
Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness
The Hon Warren Snowdon MP

Senator Trish Crossin

Senator for the Northern Territory

The AFL Indigenous Career and Employment Expo in Darwin today provided young Indigenous Australians with the opportunity to look at future education and job opportunities.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib, Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon and Senator Trish Crossin today said the expo was part of the Gillard Government’s Learn. Earn. Legend! program.

“The Learn. Earn. Legend! program is about promoting the message for young Indigenous Australians to stay in school and aspire to good jobs for themselves and their communities,” Senator Arbib said.

“With the support of the AFL the expos provide a great environment for young people to talk about their post-school life.

“The best way to overcome Indigenous disadvantage is through encouraging young people to get an education and get the skills they need to get long-term jobs.”

Mr Snowdon said the expo was a great opportunity for young Aboriginal Australians to meet their idols and see firsthand what you can achieve through hard work and determination.

“These players are proof that with drive and dedication you can succeed in your chosen path, whether that is on the sporting field, in the office or on a building site,” Mr Snowdon said.

Senator for the Northern Territory, Trish Crossin, said it was great to see elite AFL players come to the Territory to participate in the expo.

“It’s fantastic that the AFL and the AFL players have put their hands up to be role models for future generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” Senator Crossin said.

Senator Arbib said the Australian Government is committed to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage. Part of this commitment is to halve the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous unemployment within a decade.

“The AFL have done a fantastic job in organising and supporting Learn. Earn. Legend! Expo and I congratulate them in their efforts to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage,” Senator Arbib said.