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

Well, we're certainly not walking away from funding remote housing. And can I say that there is another issue about jurisdiction. They are now being required to put this in a fund that is managed between the state, the Commonwealth and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Now, I guess that hasn't been accepted well. We're just supposed to put it straight into the coffers.

In the Northern Territory context, you will be pleased to know, Senator, that the Northern Land Council, the Central Land Council and representatives from the Northern Territory government and the Commonwealth government will manage that fund to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will get real jobs, instead of being given lip-service for 10 years. So, instead of saying, 'Oh, I know somebody who owns an Indigenous business,' we will be buying bricks and mortar and we will be ensuring that Indigenous businesses are out there building those homes, because that's how we have to value-add to it. There is no point just saying, 'Oh, we're doing things with Aboriginal people,' instead of to them. You've got to actually do that. And this is another example of how this government has delivered on that promise.