**Check against delivery
Good evening ladies and gentlemen.
Addressing the plight of Indigenous Australia has been one of my passions throughout my working life.
Not only is it shameful in the 21st century that a modern, developed and wealthy society tolerates the level of Indigenous unemployment and social disadvantage that Australia has for too long, it is also costing the nation billions of dollars a year.
Notwithstanding the unforgivable human cost, imagine the financial cost to Australia of Indigenous unemployment by 2020 if we fail to properly address the incredible social disadvantage faced by Indigenous communities today.
That disadvantage is not confined to remote Australia.
There are parts of our capital cities that are just as isolated from mainstream Australia as Wadeye in the Northern Territory.
As Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, I am responsible for the sectors which now offer some of the greatest opportunities to lift the workforce participation of Indigenous Australians and give them the opportunity to share in the economic prosperity of our nation.
So I say with great sincerity that it gives me great pleasure to be here this evening at the launch of the Hostplus Indigenous Hotel Management Traineeship Program.
It was in this place on 13 February 2008 that the Australian Government made an historic apology to the Indigenous Peoples of Australia.
Seven months ago this country turned a new page and embraced a reconciled Australia.
That reconciliation will not be complete unless we follow through with meaningful action to address Indigenous disadvantage and until Indigenous Australians achieve the same high standards of living as mainstream Australia.
This is something governments cannot do alone and it is good to see the corporate sector right behind this outstanding initiative to place 100 Indigenous trainees in hotels across Australia and to assist them to complete a Certificate III in Hospitality Operations.
The initiative we launch today provides an opportunity for real economic and social progress.
The tourism and hospitality sector has great potential to deliver real benefits to Indigenous Australians in the form of jobs and career opportunities.
And having a job is the key to future economic independence and social well-being.
There is nothing more important than the sense of pride and self-worth, the ability to provide for your family, or the capacity to plan for the future, that comes with meaningful employment.
The 100 Indigenous Australians who will benefit from this program will develop skills which will provide more than just a job, but also options for life.
Therefore I congratulate the tourism and hospitality industry, through the Australian Hotels' Association and its partners - HostPlus, MINT Group, AFL SportsReady Program and nominated hotels - for developing the initiative we are here to launch tonight.
The short-term financial benefits to participants are obvious.
But it is the long-term benefits such as economic independence and social inclusion that will make a real difference to lives.
I have no doubt this program will succeed because it is obvious that the companies and organisations I mentioned a moment ago will make it succeed.
Ladies and gentlemen, I commend you on this great program and wish you and the participants every success for the future.