Corinne Mulholland (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. Remote communities across northern Australia have faced significant challenges following cyclones and flooding events. These disasters have had a devastating impact on local economies and communities. Can the minister outline how the Albanese Labor government is supporting recovery efforts in affected communities by delivering programs that create employment opportunities and help to strengthen local economies?

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

Thank you, Senator Mulholland, for the question. I'll be watching the next State of Origin game, too, I think, from Queensland.

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Who do you go for?

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

Your great state. You're absolutely right, our remote communities remain particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and their recoveries can take longer. Last week, I was welcomed onto beautiful Eastern Kuku Yalanji country at Wujal Wujal, in Senator Mulholland's state of Queensland. As they say, it's a place so nice, they say the name twice, Wujal Wujal. I was privileged to receive a water blessing from Aunty Kathleen at the foot of the spiritual waters of Wujal Wujal Falls.

The scars of Cyclone Jasper have left deep physical marks on this community, but the impact is not just physical. Elders speak of the fear they feel when they hear heavy rain, remembering the devastation they endured and the challenge of rebuilding their community. But the Albanese Labor government is there to support them and to back their aspirations, and that includes jobs, jobs, jobs. We are delivering 6,000 jobs in remote communities, providing the dignity of work with proper pay, sick leave, annual leave and superannuation, and that includes in the community of Wujal Wujal. I visited the nursery and market garden where local RJED workers are already benefiting from these opportunities. One of those workers, Topsy, said to me: 'I love gardening. I always go home at the end of the day with a smile on my face, telling my family what I've done.' The Albanese Labor government is strengthening our remote communities by providing the dignity of work, and Wujal Wujal is just one of many examples of the success of the program.

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

Senator Mulholland, first supplementary?

Corinne Mulholland (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

The cost-of-living pressures continue to affect families across Australia, and these challenges can be even greater in remote communities where food and essential goods often cost significantly more. Can the minister outline how the Albanese Labor government is helping to ease the cost-of-living pressures for families in remote communities?

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

Well, mayors from across the country are in Canberra this week—Alister Gibson from Wujal Wujal, Bruce Gibson from Hope Vale, James Woods from West Arnhem, Elsie Seriat from Torres Shire Council and Richard Sewter from Mornington Peninsula Shire. There is one thing their communities all have in common, and that is support from the Albanese Labor government through our Low-cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme, which is helping to ease cost-of-living pressures. I'm proud to announce to the Senate that we now have 120 stores right across Australia signed up to the scheme and more to come. We have slashed the cost of 30 essential items in remote communities, meaning those items cost the same as they would in a city. This is about fairness and it is about delivering.

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

Senator Mulholland, a second supplementary?

Corinne Mulholland (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians continue to experience disparities in health, housing, education and employment outcomes. Can the minister outline how the Albanese Labor government is delivering meaningful investments to address these challenges, and how this approach differs from those who continue to call for cuts to programs that support First Nations communities?

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

Well, there they are, the coalition of chaos. That's right; they're the coalition of cuts. Come on, I woke you up. Senator Nampijinpa Price has been penning op eds and sending out fundraising emails criticising our jobs agenda while providing absolutely no policy solutions of their own, and Senator Hanson has been declaring her desire for a monoculture. One Nation is leading this coalition, which is now committed to the abolition of all Indigenous programs. The opposition has no plan apart from cuddling up to One Nation. They only believe in the negative, nasty politics of chaos and cuts and in punching down on First Nations Australians. (Time expired)

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

Senator Kovacic.

Order! Minister, I have called Senator Kovacic.