Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Liddle for the question. I think all of us in this chamber always look for working together and reaching across party divides and political divides to find and reach agreement. That's been the position of the Prime Minister from the beginning, particularly in relation to the referendum that we just had.

In relation to the question about an audit of programs—there were a number of areas that Senator Liddle went to—there was an audit by the ANAO that was just handed down in May this year, looking particularly at programs being run through the NIAA. I note seven recommendations, all of which the NIAA accepted. It covered a period of time when those opposite were in government, and it showed that there were a number of areas in relation to noncompliance and fraud prevention and things like that with respect to the programs that were funded and needed improvements, to which the NIAA has committed and which the Minister for Indigenous Australians will be seeing through. So there has been quite a significant piece of work done. I think the ANAO's reputation and expertise in this area mean they are the pre-eminent body to do that work. That work has been done, and we will make sure that those recommendations are implemented. Of course, we will continue to listen to and work with First Nations organisations as they roll out programs, because there is an agreement across the country that focusing on practical outcomes and improving outcomes for First Nations Australians are a priority. (Time expired)