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Why is Municipal services any different for Indigenous communities?: Scullion
by Stephen Hagan hadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Nigel Scullion said Australian taxpayers are forking out $44m for Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin poor negotiation skills when the Northern Territory government should be picking up the bill. “The Australian taxpayer will have to fork out $44m in the Budget for Minister Jenny Macklin’s poor negotiating skills on municipal services in remote Indigenous communities,” Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion said. “It has been revealed that
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Senator Nigel Scullion talking to locals in Hermannsburg. Image supplied
the Commonwealth will pay a further $44.1m to continue to fund municipal services in remote Aboriginal communities despite Minister Macklin’s push over the past two years for the States and Territories to take responsibility for services,” Senator Scullion said. “The Commonwealth does not pay for municipal services, rubbish collection and so on in the suburbs of Australia, so why it is different for Indigenous Australians? “Macklin has clearly failed to turn this around and her poor negotiating skills have seen the program extended for the second year in a row and cost Australian
taxpayers yet another $44m.” Senator Scullions asked the question: “Why is it, in this day and age, that we continue to have different arrangements for our Indigenous citizens than we do for other Australians?” “Why is it, that when it comes to the basics of municipal services and rubbish collection and so on, that local and state governments refuse to pick up the bill as they would for anyone else?” he said. “This is yet another example of the Gillard government being prepared to sit back and accept lower standards and have lower expectations for Indigenous Page 1
Australians. “It is all too hard so they just pay the money and forget about it until the next budget. Nothing changes under Labour. “They continue to put resolution of the municipal services funding on the never-never and under Macklin’s management would get extended again into the future. The taxpayer and Indigenous Australians will be the losers,” Senator Scullion said. Minister Macklin in her defence said the Australian Government
is providing $44.1 million to continue to support the delivery of municipal and essential services for Indigenous people in about 340 remote communities as well as creating additional employment opportunities. “Essential services, including reliable power, functioning water and sewerage systems and safe accessible roads, are critical to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous families living in remote communities,” Minister Macklin said.
“While the provision of municipal services is generally the responsibility of state and local governments, the Australian Government is making this additional investment in remote communities to ensure Indigenous families do not miss out. “This delivery of municipal and essential services also provides significant employment opportunities for local Indigenous people, supporting around 200 jobs across these communities.”