Labor is calling on the Government to put the next round of Community Development Program (CDP) contracts on hold and extend current arrangements until the current broken CDP program can be fixed.

Nigel Scullion is forcing new contracts on CDP providers, despite his legislation stalling in the Senate and mounting criticism of the failed remote employment program.

The Government is pressing ahead with new funding agreements in the face of this uncertainty leaving the community and providers in the lurch.

Local organisations are concerned these new funding agreements will be non-negotiable, even though a new payment model is still being designed by the Government.

Without any certainty about the future of the Governments CDP legislation, local organisations are being asked to sign a blank cheque.

Despite claiming he wants to see more Indigenous providers, local Indigenous organisations are reporting that Nigel Scullion is forcing them to reapply, even after being selected to deliver services in an open tender earlier this year.

Its not good enough. Remote communities deserve better than uncertainty, chaos and an unnecessary rush.

The Government promised real changes to CDP, but all they are doing is tinkering around the edges.

Labor is opposed to the Governments changes to CDP which will do nothing to address the current punitive and unfair arrangements.

Around 80 per cent of the people in the CDP program are Indigenous, and participation requirements are double those in Job Active.

This is discriminatory.

Remote communities and CDP providers deserve better than being locked into new service delivery contracts when the future of the scheme is up in the air.

Nigel Scullion should do the right thing, put this process on hold and extend the current arrangements while CDP is fixed.

Remote communities need jobs and economic development, not another round of punishment based on who they are and where they live.