House debates
Tuesday, 13 February 2024
Questions without Notice
First Nations Australians
2:01 pm
Marion Scrymgour (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My question is—
Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Order! The member for Lingiari will begin her question again. She shall be heard in silence.
Marion Scrymgour (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to create jobs in remote communities and build a better future for Indigenous Australians?
Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I thank the member for Lingiari, who knows very well the importance of this announcement by the Prime Minister today. We've today announced the new Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program to also recognise the 16th anniversary of Closing the Gap. This part of our response means that communities will have a say over their futures and the economic development that they believe they need. It is a $707 million investment and the first step in our commitment to replace the failed Community Development Program.
The new program will be grounded in self-determination. Communities will decide what jobs are created across various sectors like aged care, child care, hospitality, tourism, horticulture and town maintenance. A $185 million community jobs and business fund will be set up for local and community owned businesses to apply for money for equipment and capital.
For too long, people in remote communities have missed out on the dignity and the benefits of work. When I visit remote communities, which is often, fixing the mess left by the Liberals and the failed Community Development Program is absolutely the No. 1 issue raised with me. This is about creating a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in remote communities.
I am so pleased—and the member for Grey should listen to this one—that in the remote South Australian community of Koonibba we are seeing people sign up to the trial of our new program. Peter Hurrell was employed yesterday. He will be learning new skills and putting those skills to work in his community.
The Productivity Commission's first review on progress on the terms of the national agreement has demonstrated that all governments need to do better. I am so, so pleased the Prime Minister made this announcement today. It will be a recognition of the peaks and also a recognition of the importance of jobs and economic development in Aboriginal remote communities.