Kate Thwaites (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Long and healthy lives, thriving children and strong students, housing and infrastructure, justice for all, strong families, connection to country, culture and languages: these are the areas of work that the Closing the gap report focused on in what is a new approach that's bringing targets and outcomes together in groups, reflecting the fact that individual targets in isolation do not reflect a full picture. When we look at this year's Closing the gap report, we see that only four targets are on track. This does reinforce for all of us how much work still needs to be done.

The Closing the gap report tells us that, when it comes to advancing the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we're not where we should be. We're not where many Australians would want us to be, and our government knows this. We know that, in order to see improvement, we have to work in new ways. Australians do want us to close the gap. They do want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to lead good lives and to have the same opportunities and life expectancy that the rest of our community has. The reality is that there is much work still to do. As a government we are not daunted by it, but we do recognise that this will require focus and determination from us—and focus and determination on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who know what's best in their communities. We have seen time and time again that the approach of governments dictating how outcomes should be achieved has not got us the results we should have. It's not always easy for governments—particularly national governments—to take the approach of allowing things to be locally led but, certainly, when it comes to how we close the gap, it's an approach that we must take.

Yesterday we marked 16 years since the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. I went along with many members to the breakfast that was held here to commemorate that anniversary. It was a privilege to be in the room with many members of the stolen generation as well as many outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and members of the community—a number of leaders who have held leadership positions for so long and worked so hard for so long but also a number of younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are picking up the baton and working in their communities and across this country for better outcomes. I was so struck by the strength and resilience in that room. There was no despair. There were asks of government. There were people holding government to account. But there was no despair. It was so impressive to see those people, both members of the stolen generation and their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, coming together with those of us here in the parliament to both mark that occasion and talk about what comes next, to make sure we do know and understand the stories of members of the stolen generation and that we are reminded of the failures of governments over many decades and to strengthen our resolve to continue to enact change. As the Prime Minister said, the people there showed that when we have an honest reckoning of the past we give ourselves a better future.

It was also a reminder, I think, that that apology wasn't a foregone conclusion. That apology happened because good people made it happen. It was the work of decades of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people calling for that moment of healing. It was the work of a new Labor government led by Prime Minister Rudd and the then minister for Indigenous affairs, my predecessor as the member Jagajaga, Jenny Macklin. That moment changed our nation. It was a moment of healing. Marking the anniversary yesterday felt particularly important given the result of the referendum last year. As the Prime Minister said, our government absolutely accept the result of that referendum, but we know that it has been a very, very difficult result for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the country. In fact, it has been a very, very difficult result for a number of people who voted yes. I know in my community, where we did have a 'yes' vote, people felt great sorrow after that result, and they wanted to know: What comes next? What do we do next to continue that healing in the country, to continue the work that absolutely must be done?

I am pleased that yesterday the Prime Minister made two important announcements. The first of these was on the Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program. For too long the failed CDP has not delivered job opportunities for Aboriginal people, so this is a new jobs program providing people in remote communities with real jobs, proper wages and decent conditions. This includes, importantly, superannuation and leave. It has been developed by our government in partnership with First Nations people, funding 3,000 jobs over three years. This program is all about helping people in remote communities to get proper jobs, which will then help their communities grow stronger. Local and community organisations will be employing people across all regions where the Community Development Program had been in place.

This is being complemented by our government's new $185 million Community Jobs and Business Fund, helping communities pay for projects that will create jobs under this remote jobs program. So a community could receive funding, for example, to establish or grow its own community controlled horticultural enterprise and employ local people, a win-win helping to support food security, generating economic opportunities and giving people skills and on-the-job training and accreditation. You can see how this program can come together to offer so much to communities in a way that is led by them and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Importantly, our government also announced the introduction of a new role, the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. This role will start later this year. Indigenous children are almost 11 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children. That is simply not acceptable. It is a tragedy. We know that once a child is on that trajectory of out-of-home care it is very hard for them to get their life back on track. So we all have a responsibility to do more about that. That's why it is important that we will have this new commissioner role that will highlight this really important issue, a problem we have right across our country, and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians on evidence based programs and policy to advocate for and amplify the voices of First Nations children, those children in out-of-home care who haven't had that voice before, who have not been able to talk to policymakers about their experiences and what should happen next for them. This is so important if we want to see the next generation grow up and thrive, and of course we all want to see that. We do not want to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children on a trajectory that leads to lower life expectancy, that leads to worse outcomes across their lifetimes. We can do so much better than that in this country. I think this commissioner being in place is going to be very important, helping to address the disadvantage experienced by too many Indigenous children and families.

I pay tribute to the national body, SNAICC; it spent a lot of time advocating this. I also pay tribute to the peaks, who have worked so hard on closing the gap and on working with government and community to find a new approach to closing the gap. The peaks and the Aboriginal controlled community organisations demonstrate to us that when we work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we get better results. We see it in our health system, where the NACCHOs, the Aboriginal community led health organisations, get the results that other mainstream services could only dream about. We see it in successful programs like the Indigenous Rangers Program—people working on country in a program that is culturally appropriate and that delivers results not just in terms of jobs but in terms of community and the environment. I have been in community and seen those rangers, and seen how respected they are for the work they do that connects them to country and provides that benefit to the community and the whole country. That's the approach we have to take across the board—that approach of working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and finding solutions that work for them, that aren't decided here in this place, that aren't rolled out by people here in this place or people in Canberra—as excellent as some of those people must be!

We need to do more; our government is really clear about that. We are focused on that. I am pleased with the work and the announcements that have come out of this year's statement, and I look forward to being part of continuing to close the gap.

Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank my very good friend the member for Riverina for allowing me to go before him, to accommodate my schedule tonight.

Speaking on closing the gap, I want to take a few moments to remember a remarkable woman, Lowitja O'Donoghue, who was a South Australian. As we mourn her passing, we remember everything she stood for. We remember the positive impact she had on Australia, on First Nations people and in fact on the world. Despite a childhood marked by separation from family, culture and even her name, she never lost her belief in her country. Lowitja understood Australia had to do better to be better united and reconciled. I hope Australia will continue to embrace the wisdom that she shared. Not everyone gets the same chances, and it's time to change that.

I recall clearly that, during Kevin Rudd's era, one of the first things he did was give the apology in this parliament. It was the moment that made us all feel proud. I felt extremely proud being in that chamber on the day, looking around in the galleries and seeing all the First Nations people in the chamber. But one particular person was Lowitja O'Donoghue, who was in the 'special guest' chair. I recall clearly that, once the apology had been given by the Prime Minister, I went up and shook her hand, and she gave me a great big hug and had tears coming from her eyes. That's what the apology meant to our First Nations people.

As I said, not everyone gets the same chances. It's time to change that, and it's time to make some positive changes. Every person, no matter where they're from, deserves a shot at success. We need real changes in education, jobs, health care—the whole package. It's not just about talk; it's about taking some action. Let's think about the national apology from former prime minister Rudd. It acknowledged the struggles of the stolen generation. Former prime minister Rudd's sincere address called for unity and a collective commitment to a more compassionate future.

Anniversaries are important, such as the Closing the gap report that we debate in this place every year. They are important. But what really counts is what we do now and into the future—the action that we take that will determine the future. We want our First Nations Indigenous brothers and sisters not only to be part of the conversation but to actually lead it, to be inspired and to have opportunities. As a grandfather I'm happy my grandchildren will have good chances, but everyone should have equal opportunities, without unfair treatment. That's why the Prime Minister handed down the Closing the gap annual report, as we see every year—as we saw the previous Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, do, and Mr Turnbull and Mr Abbott before him.

The 2024 implementation plan is important. It's not just paperwork; it's a road map into the future and a road map for real change, aimed at making life better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. This government is investing $30.2 million in remote training hubs in seven locations in Central Australia. We're creating opportunities where they're needed the most. We're delivering an additional $10.7 million to continue the Justice Policy Partnership. And, of course, we're working extremely hard, as all governments, politicians, state parliaments et cetera should be working, to reduce the incarceration rates and create a fairer system. There are programs for community wi-fi for about 20 remote communities. We're also putting $24 million into expanding the junior rangers program to 50 sites, giving more First Nations students the chance to get involved.

This is a call for action. There has already been significant progress under the 2023 closing the gap implementation plan. There are 183 people who have joined the health worker traineeship program. Part of the commitment is funding for 500 First Nations health workers. So the improvement is continuing.

We're improving access to clean water, for example, in remote Northern Territory communities. Can you believe that, in a First World country such as Australia, we're dealing with some of our communities not having clean water? It is something that just baffles me when you think of the wealth of our nation. Yet we have a small segment that does not have the same opportunities we do in every sector, from health right through to education and jobs. There's the $100 million investment in fixing homes and infrastructure on Northern Territory homelands, with 157 houses currently on track to be delivered earlier, easing overcrowding in remote communities.

The justice reinvestment package is helping communities find local solutions, local answers, for safety and for reducing those incarceration rates that I spoke about. Very importantly, over 14,000 First Nations students are taking fee-free TAFE courses for better education. We all know education is the key: education, training and skills. If you give those people—or anyone, as a matter of fact—that solid foundation through education, it improves lives. Not only will it improve lives; it will improve their communities as well. We're supporting the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation hiring 260 new workers for cancer treatments and other vital support.

I'm proud of what this government is achieving. We still have a very long way to go, obviously. Small steps are being made, but these steps represent real change, and together we're working towards a more equal and brighter future for all Australians. Here's to a future where our Indigenous communities are not just equal but empowered. Together we can make it happen. By listening to the locals and working with communities, we can make progress on closing the gap.

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) | Link to this | Hansard source

Eight million dollars—it's not a lot of money, particularly when you consider the amount of money spent on last year's referendum, which was about $450 million. Eight million dollars is not a lot of money when you consider the amount of money that Treasury handles every year to run this nation. Compared to the sort of money that goes through the infrastructure investment pipeline, $8 million is but loose change. But $8 million is what Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria needs for a swimming pool—an aquatic centre.

I visited that island as Acting Prime Minister, just before I lost the role as Deputy Prime Minister—it was the last official duty that I did. I gave those people a commitment to get them a swimming pool. As long as I have breath in me, and as long as they don't have a swimming pool, I will fight for them. It's a long way from Riverina, the landlocked electorate in the south-west of New South Wales that I represent. But you have to have purpose if you come to this place. You have to have vision and drive. And you have to do what's right. Whilst all politics is local, this is a cause celebre for me because the mayor there, Kyle Yanner, is a beaut bloke. I've met a lot of mayors in my time; he's one of the best. He has a young family, and they've just added a newborn baby boy. Congratulations to his family. He leads that community, which just doesn't have what we have on the mainland.

When you look at some of the statistics, they are really alarming. Mornington Island is home to around 1,200 people, 86 per cent of whom identify as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. They have up to 25 per cent unemployment. It's a very young community. There is high youth unemployment. The unemployment rate for Queensland is around 7½ per cent, which is all too high, but, when you consider that 40 per cent of families with children under the age of 15 are jobless, and you compare that to the state rate—it's in the seat of Kennedy—it is just alarming.

The total median family yearly income is less than half the Queensland average. Their disadvantage is so prevalent that 100 per cent of residents are in the most disadvantaged category under the statistician's office Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage: 100 per cent—every one of them.

The death rate for Mornington Shire was some 40 per cent higher than for Queensland in 2019. The state's Chief Health Officer's report of 2018 stated there was a 21-year difference in the median age of death between Indigenous Queensland and non-Indigenous Queensland—59 years compared to 80 years in the three-year period 2013 to 2015. This was similar for males and females.

Mornington Island doesn't ask for much. Kyle Yanner doesn't expect much. I have been to see the infrastructure minister, the member for Ballarat, on a number of occasions. I know she's a person of goodwill; I will say that. I think she was a bit surprised when I came to see her for the very first meeting. Being a former infrastructure minister—for three-and-a-third years—and here I was, cap-in-hand, for the very first meeting; she probably thought I was coming in to talk about my local area. My local area needs things too—I get that—but these people need it more. These people need it—an aquatic centre—more than anywhere else in Australia. It is very hot in any month, let alone the hottest months, on Mornington Island. I implore, I beg, I ask the government: please look beyond some of the big things that you consider are important or a priority, and fund this aquatic centre. I can't state enough how important it is—not just because I promised them that I would deliver it, but because they have gone without for so long. In July 2021, the month after I visited—when I asked for a report it was June; it was in June that I lost the job as Deputy Prime Minister and infrastructure minister—a report said that the cost of the swimming pool would be $6½ million. Obviously, with contingencies and increased construction costs, especially in remote communities, they estimate that now it's $7.9 million or a little bit over. It's not a lot of money in the scheme of things; it truly isn't. And that community absolutely deserves it.

It's the 16th anniversary for the stolen generations report, the sorry day and the national apology that Prime Minister Rudd gave back in 2008. There are some stark things within that.

We haven't done well enough as a nation. We didn't do well enough as a coalition government. Labor is falling short now. And we do need to do better; that is the case.

I do believe, earnestly and honestly, that we did some very good things in the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison years. We made a difference, and that's to be commended.

The Albanese government obviously spent a lot of time and effort last year with the referendum. The results in Riverina were very emphatic: 75.08 per cent said no, 24.92 per cent said yes. A hundred out of a hundred booths voted no. The people spoke. That is democracy.

But we have to tackle disadvantage together. I know, and I was very proud, that we did some good work with the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, and through employment opportunities with Inland Rail, particularly in the first couple of stages that I oversaw. I know that, on Snowy Hydro 2.0, there were a number of Aboriginal people for whom it was their first ever job, and they had a function at the Wagga Wagga beach, where they expressed their delight at being given the training and the opportunity to work on that exciting project. But, now that the referendum has been done and dusted—and I appreciate that, as the member for Jagajaga said, there are people who are hurting; I understand that—it's time to tackle disadvantage together, and to say: 'Yes, we had the national vote. The nation spoke. But what should we, what can we and what must we do now, going forward, to help those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who need it most, through jobs?'

As the member for Adelaide said—and he shook his head as he said it—he couldn't believe that there are communities where there's not fresh drinking water. I agree with him. I've seen in Africa how people have eye disease because they don't have fresh, clean water to just wash their faces with. We can't have that in Australia. We're better than that. We must provide those remote communities with the services that they need, they want, they expect and they deserve. They are Australians. They are the First Australians.

Across the Riverina, whilst we have done much, I commend the work done by Hewitt Whyman, Stan Grant Sr and so many others to break the cycle of disadvantage. I acknowledge that I do come from Wiradjuri country. I acknowledge that we're meeting here on Ngunnawal and Ngambri territory. It is time to tackle the disadvantage together. The speeches given by Prime Minister Albanese and opposition leader Dutton the other day were very good. But we need more than words. We need action. We need particular action in those remote communities. The cashless welfare debit card needs to be reinstated, and very soon, to end the cycle of domestic violence and alcohol and other abuses that Aboriginal communities face all too much.

Debate adjourned.

Federation Chamber adjourned at 19:30