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

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. The dignity of work through employment is critical in building a stronger future for remote communities and creating long-term economic opportunities. Can the minister update the Senate on how the Albanese Labor government's Remote Jobs and Economic Development program is delivering jobs in remote communities across Australia?

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

I thank Senator Cox for the question. I know that she does a lot in Western Australia as a senator there, along with her colleagues, in terms of the remote regions.

We promised at the last election to create 3,000 jobs in remote communities. I am incredibly proud to update the Senate that we have delivered on that commitment with the approval of our 3,000th job. From Central Australia to Arnhem Land, the APY Lands, Cape York and the Torres Strait, we're providing the dignity of real work with proper pay and conditions like sick leave, annual leave and—are you listening, Senator Bragg?—superannuation.

Importantly, we aren't telling communities what job they must have. We are working with communities to develop sustainable industries that respond to their needs and aspirations. We are creating jobs in everything from construction and agriculture to health care, retail and administration. We aren't dictating what form these jobs take. They're a mix of part-time, full-time and casual roles, providing flexibility to meet the needs of the individuals taking them up and the communities that they live in.

We've delivered on our election commitment to create 3,000 jobs in remote communities, but, due to the success of the program, we are not stopping there. The Prime Minister announced at the start of this year, as part of closing the gap, we're going to double that number, creating 6,000 jobs by the end of the decade. That means thousands more First Nations people having the opportunity to access the dignity of work. The Albanese Labor government knows the enormous potential of our remote First Nations communities, and that's what this investment is all about.

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

Senator Cox, first supplementary?

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

That's great news, Minister. We know that behind each one of those 3,000 jobs are individuals, families and communities benefiting from new employment opportunities and everything that that brings with it. What has been the feedback on the ground from people working in jobs created through the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program?

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

Minister McAllister. Sorry, Minister McCarthy.

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

I'm sure Minister McAllister would like to share this story as well! Behind every one of these numbers is a person we are providing the dignity of work for. Michael from Tiwi Enterprises, a lawnmowing crew on the Tiwi Islands, told me, 'Everything's starting to look better for us.' When I asked him what he liked about his job, Michael said, 'Every day, just coming to work, I can save money for my kids, my partner and my family, which is really important to me.'

Cypanthea, who's got a job with Bima Wear on Wurrumiyanga, said of her first time on the sewing machine, 'When I first started, when I first put my foot on this pedal, that's when I got excited, and that's when I kept going.' And, recently, we just saw so much artwork from Wurrumiyanga, from Daly River—all these places—in terms of Indigenous fashion.

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

Senator Cox, second supplementary?

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

The Albanese Labor government has now funded those 3,000 new jobs in remote communities and has committed to doubling that number to 6,000 by the end of the decade. Are there any obstacles standing in the way of the government's approach to investing in jobs and economic development in our remote communities?

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

Obstacles? Oh, let me tell you about those obstacles, Senator Cox. It was good to see the shadow minister for Indigenous Australians, Julian Leeser, attend Garma this year. In his speech, he described our 6,000 jobs—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Oh, they're awake! In his speech, he described the 6,000 jobs in remote communities as 'not ambitious enough'. 'We must do better than that,' he said. Well, let me go back to the coalition's record. You promised 1,000 jobs. How many did you deliver?

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness) | Link to this | Hansard source

After he buggered it up.

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

Senator Bragg!

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness) | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, he did!

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

Oh, let me remember. Let me think.

A government senator: Zero!

No, they went a bit higher than that. It was around 300—

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

Minister, please resume your seat. I'm sorry. Senator Bragg, it is not your role in here in question time to (1) answer me back and (2) try and out-loud the minister. I'd ask you to listen in respectful silence. Minister, please continue.

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

Thank you, President. I can be pretty loud when I feel like it too. It's okay, Senator Bragg. We can have it out inside the building or outside the building. You guys delivered 350; you said you'd deliver 1,000. You couldn't do it. You say 6,000 is too ambitious. Well, let's show your numbers.