Meaningful jobs and economic development are essential to Aboriginal self-determination. Employment is also crucial to overcoming poor health, homelessness and family violence. Aboriginal children who's parents are employed also have a far greater chance of succeeding at school.

All things considered — a range of opinions

To give you a complete picture about Aboriginal employment and economic development, here's a range of perspectives. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of ANTaR, but we think they should be considered and thoughtfully debated.

• Five steps get them off welfare - Noel Pearson's OpEd for The Australian, 9 August 2008
• Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest vows to give away most of fortune - The Australian, 5 August 2008
• Indigenous jobs program criticised - Interview with Les Malezer on ABC Radio National, 4 August 2008
• Reconciliation Action Plans providing a framework for long-lasting results in Indigenous employment - Reconciliation Australia media release, 4 August 2008

How do you think we can best improve employment and economic development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

We encourage considered, respectful and where necessary provocative debate. Please feel welcome to have your say, and in turn allow others to have their say without responding in anger or distrust.

ANTaR reserves the right to delete any comment that contains offensive, defamatory or discriminatory content. If you feel any of these comments are of this nature, please let us know.