Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples (National Congress) was formed in 2010 by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders after the abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission in 2005;

(b) acknowledges that the National Congress has a board of elected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

(c) recognises that the National Congress is in a dire financial position; and

(d) calls on the Minister for Indigenous Affairs to fund the National Congress for three years at a cost of $15 million, and establish an interest-bearing sinking fund of $100 million to ensure that the National Congress is able to continue its vital work beyond the three year electoral cycle.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Congress is an important stakeholder and the government acknowledges its role as an advocacy body for some Indigenous Australians. The government does not support this motion as congress has already received $30 million to establish itself independent of government and it is inappropriate to divert over $100 million from front-line services for an independent advocacy group. However, in recognition of the important role of congress, I can advise that the government is working with congress to establish other funding sources, including through fee-for-service and philanthropic arrangements.

Question agreed to.