WA's Indigenous Landholder Service wins national award

Western Australia's Indigenous Landholder Service (ILS), which is a part of the State Government's Department of Agriculture and Food, has won the nation's top award for Indigenous Economic Development.

  • WA Government wins national prize for indigenous economic development
  • Driving indigenous enterprise is key to the Liberal-National Government's plans to dilute the reliance on welfare
  • Program has helped 5,000 indigenous West Australians

Western Australia's Indigenous Landholder Service (ILS), which is a part of the State Government's Department of Agriculture and Food, has won the nation's top award for Indigenous Economic Development.


Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman congratulated ILS which won the award this week from Economic Development Australia (EDA).


Mr Redman said the Liberal-National Government had a commitment to driving enterprise in indigenous communities as the best long-term way to create jobs and dilute the reliance on welfare.


"The ILS is transforming the lives of more than 5,000 indigenous people on 77 rural properties across five million hectares of the State," he said.


"It is the commitment  of staff from the Department of Agriculture and Food, who work in the ILS, in not only making this program a national success, but an international showpiece."


The Minister said the service partnered with the Indigenous Land Corporation to empower indigenous landholders to manage their properties more efficiently and effectively.


Mr Redman said the ILS, which also won the 2010 Premier's Award for public sector excellence, was a worthy recipient and had also been commended by the United Nations.


"By employing innovative solutions unique to each property, pastoral and farming enterprises are being rebuilt, providing far reaching economic, environmental and social benefits to both the indigenous and broader community," he said.

      Fact File

  • Indigenous Landholder Service (ILS) wins nations top award for indigenous economic development
  • ILS has assisted approximately 5,000 indigenous people on 77 rural properties
  • The ILS has services that operate across the State, in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid-West and the southern agricultural region
  • Award was issued by Economic Development Australia

 Minister's office  - 9213 6700