Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

We have a very full and exciting agenda: the full implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, justice reinvestment, the Northern Territory homelands, replacing the CDP and closing the gap. A year on, we are delivering on our commitments. Our landmark First Nations Justice package is just starting to get going and beginning to roll out. We're investing in housing and services in the Northern Territory homelands. We've signed an agreement with the Northern Territory government to deliver on a $100 million commitment to improve housing and infrastructure in Northern Territory homelands. We're fixing the failed CDP and replacing it with real jobs, real wages and proper conditions. It was in a terrible state when we became the government, and it is going to take some time to sort through.

We will invest $97 million to support the New Jobs Program Trial. That is showing some early positive signs. We're making Indigenous Australians a part of the way we engage with the world through the appointment of a First Nations ambassador, Justin Mohamed. By working with the Coalition of Peaks on closing the gap, we are improving First Nations health infrastructure, including renal services in the city and the bush. There are 500 extra First Nations health workers being trained up, working in partnership with Aboriginal community controlled health services. We know that so much more needs to be done, but in our first year we've certainly hit the ground running.

Just last week I spent time with the member for Lingiari and others in the Northern Territory. I visited Darwin, Katherine and the remote communities of Barunga and Rockhole. We listened to elders, community members and service providers. Our plan, a better, safer future for Central Australia, is having an impact. In partnership with the Northern Territory government, we are tackling alcohol related harm by strengthening alcohol restrictions so that town camps and communities are once again dry zones. We are providing more opportunities for young people, giving them hope for the future. Importantly, we're working in partnership with local communities because we know the best solutions come from local communities.

Later this year, Australians will vote in a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in our Constitution through a voice to the parliament so their communities can finally have a say on laws and policies that affect them. It's about making better, more effective policies that deliver practical change on the ground in areas like health, education and housing. The budget extends existing funding to enable the investment of $20 million to progress regional voices and local arrangements. Our commitment to Torres Strait Islander Australians is very real. We want to do business differently and we are. The beginning of a new chapter will make our nation proud.

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