Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. In February last year the Prime Minister announced $250 million to improve community safety in Central Australia. In February this year we learned that $10 million of that funding had been allocated for better digital connectivity in Central Australia. Minister, how did better wi-fi help protect the Alice Springs community last night?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Great question!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call Senator Wong: I'm not going to have any interjections. Minister Wong.

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

Thank you, Senator. Obviously, Senator Gallagher might be in a position to answer in a little more detail in relation to this matter. Can I say first that violence has no place in any community in any part of Australia. The Prime Minister and the government work in partnership with the Northern Territory government, and our expectation is that that perspective—that violence is unacceptable in any community—is something that all of us can work towards.

I understand that the Prime Minister has engaged with the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and emphasised the importance of prioritising community safety. When it comes to broader issues facing Central Australia, I think—as you would know, Senator Nampijinpa Price—there are no quick fixes and no simple solutions. We have a four-year plan to improve community safety and wellbeing in Central Australia which was developed with the Aboriginal leadership group who are providing advice to the government on what will improve outcomes in Central Australia. We want to see action in partnership with the community and long-term solutions to health, education, jobs, housing and justice.

In relation to the specific question about, I think, a program that had been announced and why a decision was made to allocate some of that to connectivity, I will seek advice and, if I have something further to add, I will return to the chamber or provide that advice to you. But I would say this to you: obviously connectivity is a very important part of enabling economic development and enabling the provision of services. I think we see in many parts of regional Australia that lesser connectivity leads to poorer outcomes, both social and economic. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Nampijinpa Price, first supplementary?

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Connectivity doesn't work if people are dying. I note $40 million has also been allocated for on-country learning in Alice Springs. Will that education account for parts of traditional culture, such as payback, that have contributed to the violence and disorder in Central Australia?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I once again remind those on my left: there will be no commentary.

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

First, can I correct the record? I think I misread a brief and said that the Prime Minister had spoken to the Chief Minister. I am advised that it was in fact the minister for Indigenous affairs, so I would like to correct the record in my previous answer.

In relation to the broader issue, as I said, violence is unacceptable and unacceptable in any part of Australia. Violence is unacceptable wherever it occurs, in any community. I'm also advised that the Northern Territory Chief Minister has announced extra police for Alice Springs.

That's the advice I've received. If there's something different, Senator, I'm very happy to listen to you. That's the advice I have received. The Northern Territory government obviously has a responsibility to ensure that community safety is prioritised, but we also need community leadership.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Nampijinpa Price, a second supplementary?

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We agree that we need community leadership. We need leadership across the board. Will the government respond to the mayor of Alice Springs as a community leader who has requested the federal government step in and assist in restoring law and order in Central Australia?

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

We are working with the Northern Territory government hand in hand. Our expectations are clear, as are the expectations of the community. We are providing additional funding and support in the ways in which the senator is aware of, and our position is to continue working in partnership with the NT government.