Govt extends indigenous funding

Indigenous service providers with funding due to expire at the end of the year have been granted a six-month reprieve.

The federal government is working its way through 5000 applications under its indigenous advancement strategy.

The coalition had promised to fund contracted services for either six months or one year while it assessed their effectiveness and dished out grants.

But with several applications incomplete or late, the government says it needs more time.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion said extending funds would ensure providers can retain staff and operations into next year.

He expects to announce grants by March.