Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have signed the two-year extension to the National Partnership on Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment (NTRAI).
The agreement provides an additional $173.2 million for health, education, community safety, Aboriginal interpreter services in remote Northern Territory communities and ensures continuity for 400 jobs.
The Albanese Government is committed to First Nations people, communities and organisations being involved in shaping the policies and programs that affect them.
Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APO NT) will contribute to overseeing the extension agreement, reflecting the knowledge, expertise and lived experience of Aboriginal people living in remote parts of the NT to inform future funding options.
During the extension period, the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Department of Health and Aged Care will work in partnership with APO NT and the Northern Territory Government to design options for future investment in remote Aboriginal communities, giving life to the priority reforms identified in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The Joint Steering Committee that will oversee the agreement is meeting for the first time today on 5 October in Darwin.
Quotes attributable to Minister Burney:
"Our Government is proud to support the continued delivery of critical services to improve outcomes for people living in remote parts of the Northern Territory.
"This extension will ensure continuity of existing NTRAI funded services, while parties work in partnership to design long-term investment options, which will empower communities to determine, drive and own desired outcomes, alongside governments."
Quotes attributable to Senator McCarthy:
"People living in remote parts of the Northern Territory rightly expect to receive services comparable to the rest of Australia.
"There are challenges with delivering health services across such a large continent, and this extension will allow the time to discuss and find the best approaches so people can live healthy lives where they choose.
"With the support from APO NT, we will make sure the views of Aboriginal Territorians are properly represented and accounted for as we look at what programs are working and how best to fund services into the future."
Quotes attributable to APO NT Representative, Priscilla Atkins:
"The Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the NT welcomes the Australian and Northern Territory Government's commitment to the Closing the Gap National Agreement by adopting a shared decision-making approach to the design of the future NTRAI."
"APO NT welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with governments to incorporate the knowledge, priorities, expertise and lived experience of Aboriginal peoples and organisations into future NTRAI funding arrangements."
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Selena Uibo:
"The extension of this agreement is good news for the Northern Territory."
"It means our Government can continue to provide programs and services that generate better outcomes across the board for Aboriginal Territorians, many who live in some of the most remote areas in the country."
