Dorinda Cox (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. The Albanese Labor government is committed to building a stronger future for First Nations Australians, including through economic empowerment. How are First Nations people contributing to the government's economic agenda?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Cox for the question. The Albanese Labor government is absolutely committed to building a stronger future for First Nations Australians, and economic empowerment is very much at the heart of that commitment

Over recent weeks I've travelled across the country to host First Nations economic roundtables. We met on Gadigal country, in Sydney; on Larrakia country, in Darwin; on Kaurna country, in Adelaide; on Turrbal and Yuggera country, in Brisbane; on Wurundjeri country, in Melbourne; on Noongar country, in Perth; and on Yaburara country, in Karratha. Each of these roundtables has fed directly into the Treasurer's productivity roundtable. At every roundtable we heard directly from First Nations leaders about the opportunities and challenges facing their organisations and communities. These discussions were rich, grounded in lived experience and focused on practical ways we can work together to drive jobs, enterprise and long-term economic independence. I heard from First Nations leaders about possibilities for Indigenous businesses, opportunities for land activation to support community aspirations and the power of education as a foundation for economic empowerment.

I want to thank my Labor colleagues who joined me and helped to co-chair many of these important conversations, including you, President; Senator Cox; Senator Stewart; Senator Smith; the Assistant Treasurer; the member for Bonner; and the member for Barton as well. Their attendance and their support demonstrate the whole-of-government commitment we are bringing to this reform agenda. The voices of First Nations people are at the centre of this work, and their insights have fed into the Treasurer's roundtables and our reform agenda. This is how we ensure that economic empowerment and productivity go hand in hand for the benefit of all Australians.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cox, first supplementary?

Dorinda Cox (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I welcome the update on the First Nations roundtables and the Albanese Labor government's commitment to the economic empowerment of First Nations Australians. It's important to uplift the voices of Indigenous Australians and share our positive stories. Did the minister undertake any visits in connection with these roundtables?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Absolutely. Alongside the roundtables it was important to get out and see First Nations businesses on the ground, which I certainly love to do more broadly anyway. In Sydney, I visited IndigiGrow at La Perouse. What began as a small native-plant initiative in 2018 has now grown into an Indigenous-run nursery, employing 10 local Aboriginal staff, providing jobs while caring for country and strengthening culture.

In Adelaide, I had the privilege of visiting Aunty Vicki's cafe, Block Ya Dot. It is a 100 per cent Aboriginal owned and run business in the heart of the city. Aunty Vicki had dreamed of running a cafe for decades. Earlier this year that dream became a reality.

In Brisbane, I joined a cultural tour of the Nudgee Waterholes with Madonna and Dereece from Nyanda, who are creating meaningful jobs and sharing knowledge through bushfood experiences and cultural awareness programs. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cox, second supplementary?

Dorinda Cox (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Many Indigenous Australians are already engaging in their own economic empowerment. How is the Albanese Labor government prioritising economic empowerment of our First Nations people?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

(—) (): We are delivering jobs for people in remote communities and overhauling the punitive CDP program. It was a welfare program that sought to punish its participants. The Treasurer and I have been working in partnership to deliver a comprehensive economic policy for First Nations people through a new First Nations economic partnership. This is a new and transformative approach to policy development and shared decision-making in this country. We have announced $75 million in additional funding for prescribed bodies corporate to support communities as economic decision-makers to unlock the true potential of their land and their aspirations. We strengthened the ability of Indigenous Business Australia to invest in First Nations businesses and communities by allowing IBA to borrow and raise capital. We have strengthened the Indigenous procurement policy to provide more opportunities for First Nations businesses. (Time expired)