PM lays out economic path to Indigenous empowerment
Anthony Albanese has used his address at the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land to unveil an economic partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance.
"This builds on our commitment to the Closing the Gap Agreement, to its call for a new way of doing business and to the principle of shared decision-making," he told the festival audience at Gulkula in the Northern Territory on Saturday.
The approach will allow traditional owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land and build equity beyond the land itself.
Coalition of Peaks lead convener Pat Turner said the partnership was about putting Indigenous communities in control of their economic future."Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been clear for decades that our community-controlled organisations are the best employers of our people, providing the foundation for our economic development," she said.
Addressing the crowd at Garma, Yolngu leader and chair of the Yothu Yindi Foundation Djawa Yunupingu said he wanted a real economy for his people.
"We intend to use our lands and waters for our own future and the future of our children, and the future of our nation," he said.
Mr Albanese also announced $70 million for Indigenous clean energy projects, $31 million for a mobile TAFE program and $75 million for native title reform under the partnership.
National Native Title Council chief executive Jamie Lowe said this funding showed the government was serious about supporting traditional owners.
"Investing in the native title sector is game-changing," he said.
"This injection of capacity will mean more jobs, more opportunities for young people and stronger protection for our cultural heritage."
While some organisations met the prime minister's announcement with praise, Aunty Glendra Stubbs, the elder in residence at community legal centre Knowmore, expressed disappointment in a lack of any mention of truth-telling.
The government backed away from its commitment to Makarrata in 2024 and though he acknowledged the work of the Victorian truth-telling inquiry Yoorrook, Mr Albanese made no mention of a national process in his address.
Aunty Glendra said it hurt to see truth-telling missing from the conversation.
"Our people have been asking for this for generations," she said.
"Without truth, the pain of colonisation remains open - generation after generation.
"We can't heal what we won't name."
Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe said it was time for Mr Albanese to recommit to federal truth-telling and treaty.
"Cash for the corporations and a few utes are crumbs on the table while so many of our people are dying in custody and governments continue to steal and jail our children at record rates," she said.
Garma is marking its 25th festival and Mr Yunupingu acknowledged those who started it in 1999 - his brothers - and the festival's roots in promises of treaty, which were "washed down" by governments of the past but never forgotten.
Mr Yunupingu said he felt the disappointment again at the result of the voice referendum in 2023.
"We talked about it last year, we shed a tear to that and now it's behind us," he said, speaking about Mr Albanese's visit to Garma in 2024.
"Even though we live with shattered dreams, we must keep looking to the future."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
While some welcome the prime minister's focus on economic empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, others brand it a further step from truth-telling.
Anthony Albanese has used his address at the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land to unveil an economic partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance.
"This builds on our commitment to the Closing the Gap Agreement, to its call for a new way of doing business and to the principle of shared decision-making," he told the festival audience at Gulkula in the Northern Territory on Saturday.
The approach will allow traditional owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land and build equity beyond the land itself.
Coalition of Peaks lead convener Pat Turner said the partnership was about putting Indigenous communities in control of their economic future."Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been clear for decades that our community-controlled organisations are the best employers of our people, providing the foundation for our economic development," she said.
Addressing the crowd at Garma, Yolngu leader and chair of the Yothu Yindi Foundation Djawa Yunupingu said he wanted a real economy for his people.
"We intend to use our lands and waters for our own future and the future of our children, and the future of our nation," he said.
Mr Albanese also announced $70 million for Indigenous clean energy projects, $31 million for a mobile TAFE program and $75 million for native title reform under the partnership.
National Native Title Council chief executive Jamie Lowe said this funding showed the government was serious about supporting traditional owners.
"Investing in the native title sector is game-changing," he said.
"This injection of capacity will mean more jobs, more opportunities for young people and stronger protection for our cultural heritage."
While some organisations met the prime minister's announcement with praise, Aunty Glendra Stubbs, the elder in residence at community legal centre Knowmore, expressed disappointment in a lack of any mention of truth-telling.
The government backed away from its commitment to Makarrata in 2024 and though he acknowledged the work of the Victorian truth-telling inquiry Yoorrook, Mr Albanese made no mention of a national process in his address.
Aunty Glendra said it hurt to see truth-telling missing from the conversation.
"Our people have been asking for this for generations," she said.
"Without truth, the pain of colonisation remains open - generation after generation.
"We can't heal what we won't name."
Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe said it was time for Mr Albanese to recommit to federal truth-telling and treaty.
"Cash for the corporations and a few utes are crumbs on the table while so many of our people are dying in custody and governments continue to steal and jail our children at record rates," she said.
Garma is marking its 25th festival and Mr Yunupingu acknowledged those who started it in 1999 - his brothers - and the festival's roots in promises of treaty, which were "washed down" by governments of the past but never forgotten.
Mr Yunupingu said he felt the disappointment again at the result of the voice referendum in 2023.
"We talked about it last year, we shed a tear to that and now it's behind us," he said, speaking about Mr Albanese's visit to Garma in 2024.
"Even though we live with shattered dreams, we must keep looking to the future."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
While some welcome the prime minister's focus on economic empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, others brand it a further step from truth-telling.
Anthony Albanese has used his address at the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land to unveil an economic partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance.
"This builds on our commitment to the Closing the Gap Agreement, to its call for a new way of doing business and to the principle of shared decision-making," he told the festival audience at Gulkula in the Northern Territory on Saturday.
The approach will allow traditional owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land and build equity beyond the land itself.
Coalition of Peaks lead convener Pat Turner said the partnership was about putting Indigenous communities in control of their economic future."Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been clear for decades that our community-controlled organisations are the best employers of our people, providing the foundation for our economic development," she said.
Addressing the crowd at Garma, Yolngu leader and chair of the Yothu Yindi Foundation Djawa Yunupingu said he wanted a real economy for his people.
"We intend to use our lands and waters for our own future and the future of our children, and the future of our nation," he said.
Mr Albanese also announced $70 million for Indigenous clean energy projects, $31 million for a mobile TAFE program and $75 million for native title reform under the partnership.
National Native Title Council chief executive Jamie Lowe said this funding showed the government was serious about supporting traditional owners.
"Investing in the native title sector is game-changing," he said.
"This injection of capacity will mean more jobs, more opportunities for young people and stronger protection for our cultural heritage."
While some organisations met the prime minister's announcement with praise, Aunty Glendra Stubbs, the elder in residence at community legal centre Knowmore, expressed disappointment in a lack of any mention of truth-telling.
The government backed away from its commitment to Makarrata in 2024 and though he acknowledged the work of the Victorian truth-telling inquiry Yoorrook, Mr Albanese made no mention of a national process in his address.
Aunty Glendra said it hurt to see truth-telling missing from the conversation.
"Our people have been asking for this for generations," she said.
"Without truth, the pain of colonisation remains open - generation after generation.
"We can't heal what we won't name."
Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe said it was time for Mr Albanese to recommit to federal truth-telling and treaty.
"Cash for the corporations and a few utes are crumbs on the table while so many of our people are dying in custody and governments continue to steal and jail our children at record rates," she said.
Garma is marking its 25th festival and Mr Yunupingu acknowledged those who started it in 1999 - his brothers - and the festival's roots in promises of treaty, which were "washed down" by governments of the past but never forgotten.
Mr Yunupingu said he felt the disappointment again at the result of the voice referendum in 2023.
"We talked about it last year, we shed a tear to that and now it's behind us," he said, speaking about Mr Albanese's visit to Garma in 2024.
"Even though we live with shattered dreams, we must keep looking to the future."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
While some welcome the prime minister's focus on economic empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, others brand it a further step from truth-telling.
Anthony Albanese has used his address at the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land to unveil an economic partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance.
"This builds on our commitment to the Closing the Gap Agreement, to its call for a new way of doing business and to the principle of shared decision-making," he told the festival audience at Gulkula in the Northern Territory on Saturday.
The approach will allow traditional owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land and build equity beyond the land itself.
Coalition of Peaks lead convener Pat Turner said the partnership was about putting Indigenous communities in control of their economic future."Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been clear for decades that our community-controlled organisations are the best employers of our people, providing the foundation for our economic development," she said.
Addressing the crowd at Garma, Yolngu leader and chair of the Yothu Yindi Foundation Djawa Yunupingu said he wanted a real economy for his people.
"We intend to use our lands and waters for our own future and the future of our children, and the future of our nation," he said.
Mr Albanese also announced $70 million for Indigenous clean energy projects, $31 million for a mobile TAFE program and $75 million for native title reform under the partnership.
National Native Title Council chief executive Jamie Lowe said this funding showed the government was serious about supporting traditional owners.
"Investing in the native title sector is game-changing," he said.
"This injection of capacity will mean more jobs, more opportunities for young people and stronger protection for our cultural heritage."
While some organisations met the prime minister's announcement with praise, Aunty Glendra Stubbs, the elder in residence at community legal centre Knowmore, expressed disappointment in a lack of any mention of truth-telling.
The government backed away from its commitment to Makarrata in 2024 and though he acknowledged the work of the Victorian truth-telling inquiry Yoorrook, Mr Albanese made no mention of a national process in his address.
Aunty Glendra said it hurt to see truth-telling missing from the conversation.
"Our people have been asking for this for generations," she said.
"Without truth, the pain of colonisation remains open - generation after generation.
"We can't heal what we won't name."
Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe said it was time for Mr Albanese to recommit to federal truth-telling and treaty.
"Cash for the corporations and a few utes are crumbs on the table while so many of our people are dying in custody and governments continue to steal and jail our children at record rates," she said.
Garma is marking its 25th festival and Mr Yunupingu acknowledged those who started it in 1999 - his brothers - and the festival's roots in promises of treaty, which were "washed down" by governments of the past but never forgotten.
Mr Yunupingu said he felt the disappointment again at the result of the voice referendum in 2023.
"We talked about it last year, we shed a tear to that and now it's behind us," he said, speaking about Mr Albanese's visit to Garma in 2024.
"Even though we live with shattered dreams, we must keep looking to the future."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
30 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
'Genocide must stop': Elder's message to the PM
A Warlpiri Elder has delivered a powerful message for the prime minister following the deaths of two young men from his remote community. Visiting the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Ned Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu. A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death. The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July. In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs. The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plainclothes officers. "Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said. "In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law. "The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere." Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community. "This genocide must stop," he said. "We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it." Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders. He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform. While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley did not attend Garma, she continued the Liberal Party's post-election defeat listening tour through engagements with First Nations community groups in Western Australia. "The first thing we have to do is listen, be present in regional communities, and talk to Indigenous Australians," she told ABC Weekend Breakfast on Sunday. "I don't think it is good enough for the prime minister to stand there, deliver a speech with nice words, but not followed with any demonstration of real action." Since the death of Kumanjayi White in May, the community of Yuendumu has maintained calls for CCTV footage of the incident to be released, and an independent investigation into what occurred. Mr Hargraves reiterated those calls when he spoke to media on Sunday. "We cannot trust them because they, the government and the police, deny what we ask for, they don't help us," he said. "All they want to do is destroy, kill our lives, kill our children, kill our people. It's not right." 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 A Warlpiri Elder has delivered a powerful message for the prime minister following the deaths of two young men from his remote community. Visiting the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Ned Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu. A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death. The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July. In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs. The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plainclothes officers. "Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said. "In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law. "The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere." Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community. "This genocide must stop," he said. "We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it." Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders. He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform. While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley did not attend Garma, she continued the Liberal Party's post-election defeat listening tour through engagements with First Nations community groups in Western Australia. "The first thing we have to do is listen, be present in regional communities, and talk to Indigenous Australians," she told ABC Weekend Breakfast on Sunday. "I don't think it is good enough for the prime minister to stand there, deliver a speech with nice words, but not followed with any demonstration of real action." Since the death of Kumanjayi White in May, the community of Yuendumu has maintained calls for CCTV footage of the incident to be released, and an independent investigation into what occurred. Mr Hargraves reiterated those calls when he spoke to media on Sunday. "We cannot trust them because they, the government and the police, deny what we ask for, they don't help us," he said. "All they want to do is destroy, kill our lives, kill our children, kill our people. It's not right." 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 A Warlpiri Elder has delivered a powerful message for the prime minister following the deaths of two young men from his remote community. Visiting the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Ned Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu. A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death. The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July. In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs. The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plainclothes officers. "Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said. "In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law. "The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere." Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community. "This genocide must stop," he said. "We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it." Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders. He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform. While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley did not attend Garma, she continued the Liberal Party's post-election defeat listening tour through engagements with First Nations community groups in Western Australia. "The first thing we have to do is listen, be present in regional communities, and talk to Indigenous Australians," she told ABC Weekend Breakfast on Sunday. "I don't think it is good enough for the prime minister to stand there, deliver a speech with nice words, but not followed with any demonstration of real action." Since the death of Kumanjayi White in May, the community of Yuendumu has maintained calls for CCTV footage of the incident to be released, and an independent investigation into what occurred. Mr Hargraves reiterated those calls when he spoke to media on Sunday. "We cannot trust them because they, the government and the police, deny what we ask for, they don't help us," he said. "All they want to do is destroy, kill our lives, kill our children, kill our people. It's not right." 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 A Warlpiri Elder has delivered a powerful message for the prime minister following the deaths of two young men from his remote community. Visiting the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Ned Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu. A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death. The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July. In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs. The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plainclothes officers. "Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said. "In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law. "The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere." Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community. "This genocide must stop," he said. "We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it." Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders. He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform. While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley did not attend Garma, she continued the Liberal Party's post-election defeat listening tour through engagements with First Nations community groups in Western Australia. "The first thing we have to do is listen, be present in regional communities, and talk to Indigenous Australians," she told ABC Weekend Breakfast on Sunday. "I don't think it is good enough for the prime minister to stand there, deliver a speech with nice words, but not followed with any demonstration of real action." Since the death of Kumanjayi White in May, the community of Yuendumu has maintained calls for CCTV footage of the incident to be released, and an independent investigation into what occurred. Mr Hargraves reiterated those calls when he spoke to media on Sunday. "We cannot trust them because they, the government and the police, deny what we ask for, they don't help us," he said. "All they want to do is destroy, kill our lives, kill our children, kill our people. It's not right." 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
PM weighs up Palestinian statehood call
Anthony Albanese is seeking a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the government weighs up whether it will join international allies to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly. The Prime Minister is yet to confirm the move, despite the UK, France, and Canada all indicating they will make such a call. Mr Albanese has sought a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – something praised by Senior Coalition frontbencher Dan Tehan, who says current Australian-Israel relations have 'clearly been lacking' since the October 7 attacks in relation to communications at a 'prime ministerial level and a senior ministerial level'. 'Any dialogue which will enable both governments to put their case, and my hope is that the Prime Minister will be open to listening to Benjamin Netanyahu, so that he can get an Israeli view of what is happening on the ground and what they're trying to do to bring peace to Gaza,' he told Sky. Anthony Albanese has requested a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. X Credit: Supplied Earlier, Sussan Ley told the ABC that the Coalition would only support the formal recognition of Palestinian statehood once 'peace' had been achieved, meaning Hamas would need to surrender and release the hostages. 'Everyone wants to see this war end … Everyone wants to say the bloodshed stop. Everyone wants to see critical food aid get to Gazans who desperately need it, and I'm pleased to see that that's happening,' she said. 'But this is critical – the war could end tomorrow if Hamas surrenders and releases the hostages.' The Prime Minister's potential call with Mr Netanyahu comes as Mr Albanese faces growing international pressure to recognising Palestinian statehood, with the UK and Canada joining France this week. This follows global condemnation of Israel for the starvation and the withholding of aid from Gazan civilians, something Mr Netanyahu has rejected and labelled a 'bold-faced lie'. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who Mr Albanese has been in contact with since the announcement, said the UK would support the motion unless Israel 'takes substantive steps to ed the appalling situation in Gaza and agrees to a ceasefire'. Canadian Prime Minister while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his position was incumbent on While Australia supports a two-state solution, acknowledging Palestine's statehood could not be 'just a gesture,' but done to forward the peaceful existence of Israel and Palestine. Mr Albanese has said the formal recognition of statehood cannot be 'just a gesture'. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Speaking to the ABC on Thursday, he said Australia would only be able to make that statement 'once,' adding that 'once you make that declaration, you lose your capacity to negotiate and to influence outcomes to some extent'. 'We won't be driven by a time frame. What we'll be driven by is when the recognition of Palestine can make a contribution to the creation of two states,' he said. 'We think that arising out of what is a crisis, the world needs to look at the opportunity that there is not just to solve the current crisis, but how do we create security for both the state of Israel and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians for their own state to be realised.'
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Warlpiri elder Ned Hargraves calls on PM to intervene in NT justice system
Warlpiri elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves has joined growing calls for federal intervention into law and justice policies in the Northern Territory, in a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Speaking at the Garma Festival on Sunday, Mr Hargraves said his community of Yuendemu had "suffered a lot", and that new laws under the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government had "ripped the guts out of us". The outback town has suffered several traumatic losses in recent years — the police shooting death of Kumunjayi Walker devastated the community, and the death in custody of Mr Hargraves's 'jaja', or grandson, Kumunjayi White in Alice Springs earlier this year, adding to the hurt. Mr Hargraves today read out a letter he had written, addressed to the prime minister, urging him to intervene on the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party's tough-on-crime agenda. "The NT government is acting from a criminal mindset — like an illegal occupying foreign power," he said, reading from the letter. Indigenous incarceration rates have worsened significantly under laws and bail reforms introduced over the past year of CLP governance, with more youth laws introduced in the past week. Mr Hargraves said the CLP's policies were archaic, "like something from the 50s or 60s". "The CLP government proudly announces that even more of our people will be jailed," he said. "They are using their power to destroy us, to take away our rights." Mr Hargraves said he wanted to turn things around for young Aboriginal Territorians, but was losing faith that it would happen. "Our children and their children's children cannot be living in fear." He said he wrote to Mr Albanese in June, but had not received a response. He said he hoped to speak with him at length at Garma, but was not afforded the opportunity, and so now planned to travel to Canberra to speak to him directly. "Take action now. Make history by demonstrating to the Australian public and the international community that you no longer support apartheid laws that continue to oppress First Nations people," he urged Mr Albanese. "I say to you, prime minister, you have got the power to turn this around and put a stop to it. "This is going too long, too far gone." Mr Hargraves also reiterated his calls for the police to release the CCTV footage of Kumunjayi White's death, and demanded that an independent investigation body be established to investigate Aboriginal deaths in custody. NT Police have previously ruled out the possibility of an independent inquiry. The NT's Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Steve Edgington, told the ABC at Garma that his government's policies "aren't making things worse". "What we're trying to do is get on top of the issues that we're being faced with coming into government," he said. Asked about the over-representation of Indigenous people in prisons, and worsening Closing the Gap targets, Mr Edgington said there were several "systemic problems" at play. "Coming into government, our focus has been all about reducing crime, rebuilding the economy, and restoring that territory lifestyle," he said. "What we're focused on is improving housing, education, and trying to get those better health communities, but also empowering communities because we believe that decision making in those smaller communities is key to getting better outcomes across the board." Mr Hargraves is not alone in his criticism of the CLP's actions. Many First Nations leaders at Garma Festival this week have spoken out against the party's approach to crime reduction, following the Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency's (NAAJA) calls for emergency intervention in June. The CLP government has remained steadfast in its agenda, justifying the incarceration of record numbers of First Nations people as part of its election promise to crack down on crime. The prime minister told crowds at Garma yesterday that "the privilege of government is the chance to serve this nation and to change it, to leave it for the better".
