Minister for Indigenous Australians
Subjects: Closing the Gap, food security in remote communities, economic empowerment of First Nations communities, Anniversary of the National Apology to Stolen Generations, Northern Territory Government discontinuing treaty process.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Hi, it's Senator McCarthy here, Minister for Indigenous Australians.
HARRISON PEDERSEN, JOURNALIST: How will Monday's announcement help close the gap?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Our announcement on Monday is all about the plans we're taking forward in 2025. And our plans are about reducing the targets that we need to reduce, but also committing ourselves to working continually with the First Nations sector through the Coalition of Peaks, Harrison. It's absolutely critical that this Agreement, this National Agreement that was signed in 2020 by all parliaments, parliaments of all political persuasions and the Federal Parliament is about reminding all parliaments that they are responsible.
HARRISON PEDERSEN: And of the announcements, it includes reduced costs for 30 essential items across 76 communities. How did the Government choose those communities?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: We are about to embark on that. This was an announcement about what we wish to do in terms of those 30 essential items. And that actually came through, so those items include, flour, milk, tinned tuna, rice, bread, apples, oranges, bananas and potatoes and tomatoes, fresh fruit and vegies, as well as toiletries, Harrison. So, nappies, toilet rolls, baby formula. And we wanted those 30 items to actually be able to be bought in our remote stores at a price similar, and if not, on the same par as those in the city.
HARRISON PEDERSEN: A lot of the announcements kind of talk about, wealth generation for Indigenous communities and businesses and the idea of intergenerational wealth going forward. So how will the Government ensure that Indigenous communities can be economically competitive compared to other areas?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: We are so committed to economic empowerment. We know that if First Nations people have jobs, good paying jobs with superannuation, long service leave, holiday pay, and they have those securities in place, it does assist the individual and their families, we know that. And that's why we want to create up to 3,000 jobs over the next three years, and obviously we've started by expanding the Indigenous Rangers Program and that's an additional 1,000 jobs, Harrison. And we wanted to make sure out of those 1,000, 770 would go to First Nations women. And that's a really important decision that we've made because we want to empower our women to be able to have good jobs as well. And I'm not saying everyone wants to be a ranger, but I think it's important when we see the work of rangers across Australia now, it's important to keep supporting them and growing them.
HARRISON PEDERSEN: It also mentions increased support for psychological services and domestic violence support programs. I was just wondering if you wanted to speak more on the importance of those agendas.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Sure. One of the areas that we all know too frequently, sadly, is the high rates of suicide of our people. And I'm really committed to wanting to see more psychologists trained up that are culturally aware of the concerns as well as the mental health concerns of individuals and families across Australia with First Nations people. So, we've committed to supporting at least 150 psychologists through this program. The other area, of course, is increased funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services just to help women and children escaping family, domestic and sexual violence, Harrison. It's a holistic approach. I'm very pleased with the direction we want to go and I'm just asking First Nations people to support us as we go forward. We would want to continue all of this into a second term of government if we have that opportunity.
HARRISON PEDERSEN: And if given that opportunity and these programs do get rolled out, how can communities, you know, pay attention to these programs and really take advantage of what's being on offer?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, you can do it firstly, if you're a student at school, you can go on to university positions. We've got Fee Free TAFE, where thousands and thousands of First Nations people have already enrolled into Fee Free TAFE to show that there are jobs. But the other area that we're really pushing is housing, Harrison. It's the one common concern right across Australia, but certainly for our mob, and not just in the remote and regional areas, but in our urban areas as well. We've got to have good housing opportunities for First Nations families. We've got to have housing opportunities for those escaping family and domestic violence. But also, for those who are in remand. What are we doing to give them different options other than always having to go to jail?
HARRISON PEDERSEN: I realise you might be a bit short on time, but I've just got a couple of quick questions if that's alright.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: No worries.
HARRISON PEDERSON: So, tomorrow being the anniversary of the Apology, I was wondering if you had any reflections?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: It's always important to reflect on the policies of our country and the impact they've had on First Nations families. And the Apology to the Parliament was 17 years ago when Kevin Rudd apologised to those stolen from their families. And we still hear those stories, and we know that the hurt never goes away. And so there will be a gathering here in Parliament House on Thursday morning and I will certainly be meeting a lot of those families who are coming along with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister. We know that it's not just past policies that we have to reflect on. We're also conscious of the high rates of out-of-home care that currently exist with the continuing removal of First Nations children. And that's why we set up a First Nations Children's Commissioner, a first in this country, because we want to make sure that Commissioner is watching out for our children across Australia.
HARRISON PEDERSEN: And finally, this week the NT Government announced it will be discontinuing its treaty process. What's been your reaction to that?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well deeply disappointing, obviously. When you see the good work that's being done in Victoria, for example, they are certainly standouts, the First Nations people in Victoria who are showing the way. It hasn't been easy for them, but they do give us a great inspiring motivation to see what's possible when you have governments and First Nation people working together. So, it's deeply disappointing for the Northern Territory, just like in Queensland with the Truth-telling hearings now stopped, by the government that is, although you do have communities who still want to go ahead with it. So, I know that news in the Northern Territory will be very disappointing for communities there. Thanks, Harrison, I'll have to go.
HARRISON PEDERSEN: Thank you, that was all my questions, Minister.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Always lovely to talk to you.
HARRISON PEDERSEN: That's all good, thanks so much for your time.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: No worries. You take care.
