Mr BONSON - 2007-08-21
Can the Chief Minister outline who benefits from the comprehensive Closing the Gap package?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner. That is a good question, because this package has significant funding, $286.43m over five years, and it benefits the Territory. It specifically focuses on Aboriginal people living in the bush. They, of course, do benefit, but so do all Territorians. Every person living in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy receives the benefits.
The first point is that, if we get it right out bush in the Territory, we reduce pressure on urban areas. If communities are safe and vibrant, and viable parts of the Territory, the pressure to drift to town is reduced. The pressure to live itinerantly in our streets - whether it be in Darwin, Palmerston Alice Springs or elsewhere - is also reduced. If people from our remote communities are healthier, then the pressure on our hospital system will be dramatically reduced. That, of course, is of benefit to all Territorians.
If people living in the bush are getting a stronger education, are attending school, then they will be able to participate more fully in our economic life, and that benefits every single business across the Territory. Talk to any business. We need more skilled workers, and skilled workers who are living in the Territory and want to stay here are No 1, No 2 and No 3. The fact is that the economy as a whole is a big beneficiary of this package - more training, more skills, and more proactivity will result from this package. After all - and we talked about it this morning - there is a labour shortage in the Territory. To have Aboriginal Territorians entering our workforce in greater numbers is of benefit to the Territory as a whole.
The focus on child protection will also be in urban areas. The additional police and FACS workers will be as useful here - whether it is Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Darwin, Nhulunbuy - as they will be in Yuendumu and Yirrkala. That is why this package is not only good for the bush, it is good for the town. This package is good for the Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner. That is a good question, because this package has significant funding, $286.43m over five years, and it benefits the Territory. It specifically focuses on Aboriginal people living in the bush. They, of course, do benefit, but so do all Territorians. Every person living in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy receives the benefits.
The first point is that, if we get it right out bush in the Territory, we reduce pressure on urban areas. If communities are safe and vibrant, and viable parts of the Territory, the pressure to drift to town is reduced. The pressure to live itinerantly in our streets - whether it be in Darwin, Palmerston Alice Springs or elsewhere - is also reduced. If people from our remote communities are healthier, then the pressure on our hospital system will be dramatically reduced. That, of course, is of benefit to all Territorians.
If people living in the bush are getting a stronger education, are attending school, then they will be able to participate more fully in our economic life, and that benefits every single business across the Territory. Talk to any business. We need more skilled workers, and skilled workers who are living in the Territory and want to stay here are No 1, No 2 and No 3. The fact is that the economy as a whole is a big beneficiary of this package - more training, more skills, and more proactivity will result from this package. After all - and we talked about it this morning - there is a labour shortage in the Territory. To have Aboriginal Territorians entering our workforce in greater numbers is of benefit to the Territory as a whole.
The focus on child protection will also be in urban areas. The additional police and FACS workers will be as useful here - whether it is Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Darwin, Nhulunbuy - as they will be in Yuendumu and Yirrkala. That is why this package is not only good for the bush, it is good for the town. This package is good for the Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016