I was really impressed with the initiatives in the draft policy as it dealt foremost with the problems associated with generational poverty and a genuine lack of understanding of the rules of a working environment.

It also stressed the importance of social support networks and I understand from personal experience, just how crucial these can be in a workplace environment. Mentoring and support from my colleagues and managers has been so important to me as a new educator in a primary school classroom [in a lower socio-economic area]. The task has been overwhelming at times and I am a 44 year old, middle class woman of Euro-descent. I cannot begin to imagine how daunting moving into the workplace would be for someone with a background of generational poverty and many of the associated emotional and social problems that so often go with it.

You have also stressed the importance of catering for the needs of employers; it still amazes me that many people, regardless of culture, do not understand that they are only being employed to fulfill a need of the employer and in return they are remunerated fot it. All employees should have their rights met within this environment but businesses do not go into business to perform charity work, they go into business to make money! However, I think it is brilliant that there are those employers who are giving of themselves, to provide opportunities and the support to Indigenous people so that they can become successful and independent, so that they will not need to rely on charity :-)

The discussion questions were excellent too. It appears overall, that the draft policy is incredibly thorough, well-researched and outcomes [both positive and negative] well-anticipated.

Well done; you are making such a difference to people's lives and the culture of our beloved country.