Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The only funding history the government can confirm for the Nindji Nindji Festival is for the 2010 event, which was funded, under a former FaHCSIA program, to a host organisation, that being the Bloodwood Tree Association. Records held by the Ministry for the Arts show no evidence of prior funding through the Indigenous arts program.

The Australian government notes the festival and its significance to the Pilbara region and acknowledges the important role that connection to culture has in ensuring the wellbeing of and positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the role that cultural events play in reconciliation. To that end, the Australian government provides targeted funding of around $40 million annually through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support and Indigenous Languages and Arts programs to promote the sharing of language and culture and the ongoing viability of Indigenous-owned enterprises.

Question agreed to.