Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator. I don't agree with the question, the assertions in the question or some of the phrases used. I don't have the brief that tells me about this, but my recollection is that there was an Audit Office report that the government is responding to. From what Senator Gallagher said yesterday, I think the relevant government agency has accepted seven recommendations—or it might be more—which, you are right, uncovered some problems in the management of those programs. I would make the point that that was under the previous government.

This government is focused on working through what was demonstrated during that audit and ensuring the recommendations of that audit are implemented. I think all of us want to make sure that the funding gets where it is needed and starts to shift the dial, because none of us want to live in a country with this much difference between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. (Time expired)