Marion Scrymgour (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Every single cost-of-living measure was opposed by the Leader of the Opposition and members opposite. We know people are doing it tough and that there is more to do, and we are getting on with the job. Under their government Territorians would be worse off. I often speak about bush communities because of their neglect over the 10 years or nine years that those opposite were in government. The members opposite talk about neglect. The Liberals neglected bush communities in my electorate and removed funding.

We on this side have been focused on delivering $7 billion to achieve long-term sustainability and improve the liveability of the Northern Territory's remote Aboriginal communities, which is often a dirty word and something that's not talked about by members opposite. These measures include a 10-year $4 billion housing injection—which will be cut under those opposite; $2.8 billion to improve the safety and reliability of Northern Territory roads and the nation's critical supply chains—that will be cut by those opposite; $700 million to increase 3,000 new jobs in remote communities—that will be cut by the Leader of the Opposition; substantial improvements to essential health services and facilities, with more renal dialysis units on country and six remote Medicare urgent care clinics—they will be cut by the Leader of the Opposition; significant enhancements to water security and infrastructure at a standard every Australian deserves, no matter where they live—these will be cut by those opposite; and enhancements to the liveability of remote communities through upgraded sporting and recreational facilities, playground equipment, shade shelters and improved digital connectivity to the internet—these will also be cut.

We have also provided more protection for families and children. In the nearly three years I've been standing in this chamber, all I've heard the Leader of the Opposition bleat about is child sexual abuse in remote Aboriginal communities and the issues of child protection. Well, I reckon that that protection will be one of the things they will cut. He's appointed a senator from the other chamber to become the new minister under their government to look at government efficiency, and these are all the things that she will cut. We are investing in quality education and vocational training through the injection of $1.1 billion in public education and the establishment of on-country vocational training facilities. That will be cut. Recently I was proud to be with the Prime Minister in Alice Springs where we announced an extra $842 million over the next six years to fund needed services to close the gap in remote Aboriginal communities. We know they didn't care on the other side, and it will be cut.

People stand up say here and say, 'The Leader of the Opposition will make a great prime minister.' I'm sorry; I've been on the receiving end of these mob all of my life, and so have many Aboriginal Territorians, and all the Leader of the Opposition is interested in this is culture wars. He publicly stated, on Australia Day—when we're trying to unite the country, black and white, and our multicultural communities—that his No. 1 policy will be to remove the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags if he becomes Prime Minister. This is a divisive and nasty person who will not unite the country.

I get that the antisemitism that's been happening is terrible. What's been happening on the eastern seaboard is terrible. But have a think about what's been happening to Aboriginal people in this country for a long time. We talk about genocide. Let's talk about the history of this country and what that side, when they've been in government, have done, particularly in the last nine years of their government, where they ripped needed and necessary funds and resources from Aboriginal communities. And you wonder why we've got problems in Alice Springs, in Tennant Creek and in Katherine! It's because the bush has been neglected for too long.

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