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

I thank Senator McGrath for the supplementary question. Breaking down the barriers to economic opportunities has to be the priority of every government and every parliament. Indigenous communities have been telling us—and we will all have heard the mantra for years and years across different governments—that they are sick of being land rich and dirt poor. Not enough has been done to work with communities to develop models that work for local people and local traditional owners.

At the Garma Festival, it was terrific to be involved in the signing of the agreement with the Gumatj tribe to work together to develop a community entity that ensures township leasing for Gunyangara. I think it is the first of its kind. The community township leasing model has been developed at the request of traditional owners. The innovative nature of this is all down to the traditional owners, and I certainly take the opportunity to thank both the land council and Gumatj for their innovation in this area. (Time expired)