Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

As I have indicated already, this is something that was discussed in the budget, but I will answer the question. Perhaps you will have a word to Senator Crossin. There are a number of boarding schools that already do this. One of the fundamental tenets of being at the boarding schools is ‘both ways and cultures’. These boarding schools have been funded by the Commonwealth—almost every level of government has something to do with them—and they are not characterised by people losing their culture or losing their language. In fact, it is quite the opposite. One would assume that the very good model for boarding schools in the Northern Territory would be continued with the provision for boarding schools that was in the budget and not a part of the discussions on this legislation.