Mobile TAFE, energy projects: Anthony Albanese commits to ‘tangible' change for Indigenous communities
The Prime Minister will use a speech at the 25th anniversary Garma Festival on Saturday to recommit to 'tangible, meaningful change in remote communities' and extend his promises of a focus on delivery to Indigenous people.
'Delivery is about repaying trust – and building it,' he will say, according to a draft version of his speech.
'Pushing back against those who only ever talk in terms of cost or waste or problems without solutions, those who choose the cheap politics of division over the patient work of lasting change, or who seek to turn the grace and generosity of a Welcome to Country into a political weapon.
'Culture wars are a dry gully. They offer us nothing, they lead us nowhere.'
Closing the gap data released this past week showed things are getting worse, with just four of the 19 targets to reduce Indigenous disadvantage now on track and many others slipping back.
Mr Albanese will say the challenges underscored by this report card are hardly new or unknown, and he wants to end the days of 'seeking new ways to describe old difficulties' or trying to manage expectations.
'Let me make this crystal clear: reports and reviews have their place – but they are not a substitute for results,' he will say.
At Garma last year, in the wake of the Voice referendum loss, Mr Albanese said the Government's focus would be working with Indigenous people on economic development.
On Saturday, he will announce the Coalition of Paks and the Government have established a First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance that will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to boost skills and education, back businesses and create jobs.
$75 million will help native title holders negotiate better deals and advocate for infrastructure and housing projects on their land, while a further $70 million will be unlocked to get First Nations clean energy projects up and running.
A new $31 million Mobile TAFE model will take teachers into remote communities to train the next generations of mechanics, plumbers and workers for Aboriginal-controlled community sector organisations.
'Instead of people having to move away from home to prepare for a career in mining or agriculture, construction or the care economy, we will bring skills and jobs to communities,' Mr Albanese said.
'Hands-on training, on country. This is all about tangible, meaningful change in remote communities.'
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