Page 3063 - Week 08 - Thursday, 15 August 2019
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How do they propose to deliver equitable outcomes? In February 2019 they signed a new partnership with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement 2019-28. I was genuinely excited about this agreement, as I am sure many in the community were, too. It was an opportunity to put in place a 10-year plan supported by a robust framework that cuts across all areas of government. The government promised big things—action plans, and targets that can be measured and reported against real data. What we got was $12 million; what it is allocated to, I am not quite sure.
The budget says it is to “implement the ACT strategic priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health 2019-28 in partnership”. It talks about co-design, reports, reviews and policies. My take on this is that we can continue to expect more of the same from this government over the forward period—lots of talk and very little action; lots of reports and no real plan; lots of mainstream, government-led programs and very little investment to empower the community.
On the positive side, the government has renewed its commitment to Our Booris, Our Way. I eagerly await the final outcomes from this process, although, given the progress to date with implementing the interim recommendations, I am not that confident.
They have also promised to respond to the We don’t shoot our wounded report—a report that was published in 2009, 10 years ago, and now they are going to actually do something. Why has it taken 10 years to act on these recommendations? At least now we have on record that they will use this report to inform specialist domestic violence programs for our community. Again I will watch this space very carefully to see what is delivered, as addressing family violence for the Indigenous community is vitally important. I hope it is community-controlled organisations that get the lead on this important work. Again, I doubt it.
Overall, for Indigenous affairs this budget was underwhelming, to say the least. In many ways it just confirmed what we already knew: this government does not listen to the community or trust them to deliver their own solutions.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Minister for Disability, Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety, Minister for Health and Minister for Urban Renewal) (5.55): I will be making three speeches in relation to this particular part of the budget, so I will respond to some of Mr Milligan’s ridiculous comments at another time. This government is committed to ensuring that, as our city grows, our most vulnerable are not left behind. I am proud that this budget includes valuable new initiatives in my portfolios of children, youth and families, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, and disability that continue to build a better Canberra community.
The ACT government budget makes a strong investment in improving social connectedness; strengthening families and helping to end the stubborn disadvantage that continues through generations; reducing family violence; cutting the number of
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