Andrew Bartlett (Queensland, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Evans, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Minister Macklin’s budget statement on closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians detailed $425 million of new budget measures. Of this amount, $330 million is one year’s spending for the ongoing Northern Territory intervention and the remaining $95 million, spread over four years, is for new Indigenous programs and for Indigenous people across the rest of Australia. Does the minister believe that this small amount is a sufficient base from which to start closing the gap and meeting the laudable goals that the government has set for itself?