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

In every town and city in Australia, essential and municipal services are the responsibility of state and local governments and it should be no different in Indigenous communities. The involvement of the Commonwealth government in funding municipal services has complicated and confused roles and responsibilities. Services have not been delivered in the way that residents in other towns and cities expect. Residents have not had to deal with two or three different levels of government to receive basic services that most Australians take for granted.

The Commonwealth are getting out of the way and letting states do their job. Instead, the government will focus on our priorities of getting children to school, adults into work and making communities safer. Under our approach, we will deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.