Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has joined with business leaders and indigenous Australians to sign an employment agreement to help break the cycle of poverty and unemployment in the Aboriginal community.
The Australian Employment Covenant was first announced back in August – a private sector initiative led by the boss of Fortescue Metals, Andrew Forest.
Since then, more than 15 major Australian companies have pledged their support to the initiative, committing to provide more than 5,000 jobs between them.
Mr Rudd has joined business leaders, lobby groups and prominent Indigenous Australians in the gardens of Kirribilli House to formerly sign the agreement.
It’s hoped 50,000 jobs will eventually be created under the scheme, closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.