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

I do not think this government or parliament would pretend that there is a single silver bullet in this matter. I do not think the IAS will provide that either. Nothing that any government does will lead to an instant reduction in Indigenous disadvantage. What it will do, however, is focus our resources in key areas that we know will make a positive and long-term difference to the lives of Indigenous Australians. Most importantly, it is part of this government's new engagement with Aboriginal and Islander people wherever they live in our major cities or in the most remote community.

My staff in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet are now operating under a new regional structure with senior managers and staff much closer to the communities that they serve. They will work directly with community leaders and organisations to be part of a new partnership to deliver change for the better. This bill will work in particular communities to get children to school by asking the community about what they want us to do to help them. It will support our new approach to the Remote Jobs and Communities Program from July to get adults active and working every day.