Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I think the first thing to note on this day, the day of closing the gap, is the very bipartisan nature that we have had historically because we are all of the view that the circumstances for Indigenous people in this nation have to be improved. It is actually only by working together that we are going to get improvements for that sector, by working with community and indeed by working with others across the chamber to effect what we need to do to improve those circumstances.

I can indicate to the chamber that over the forward estimates this government will be spending $3.1 billion in the health sector for Indigenous people, which can I also indicate is $500 million more than it was in the previous four years. So, in terms of funding commitment, the coalition is leading the way in ensuring that we can effect the outcomes we need. We are also working very closely with the Indigenous sector, because it is only by listening to the sector and taking on board their views and their solutions that we are going to effect better outcomes. Everybody, including everybody in this chamber, including the crossbenchers, knows that we have to do better. And everybody in this chamber, and indeed out in the community, knows that money itself will not effect outcomes. It has to deliver programs and policy that are going to make a difference, and that is why this government is absolutely committed to ensuring we have the funding targeted to those areas we need to target to ensure that Indigenous health outcomes are improved across the nation.