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The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
'We want answers': probe launched into health service's use of grant funding
The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said.
The Age
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
‘Very serious': Health charity investigated after Las Vegas trip
Health authorities are investigating a taxpayer-funded regional health service after it emerged senior bosses spent more than $400,000 on all-expenses-paid trips to New Zealand, Canada and Las Vegas, allegedly restricted abortions and closed the books to new patients after failing to replace key staff. Leaders from CTG Aboriginal Health, which receives more than $10 million in state and federal funding annually on top of nearly $5 million in non-government revenue, will meet bureaucrats from Commonwealth, state and local funding bodies on Thursday to respond to allegations first raised by staff and revealed by the Herald, said two government sources not authorised to speak publicly. In a letter to the board in August last year, current and former staff expressed outrage that chief executive Phil Naden and senior board members used the charity's funds to travel to New Zealand, India, Canada and the NRL opening round in Las Vegas, while new patients were turned away from the clinic because of staff shortages and rising demand. 'I feel like headbutting the wall most days because we can't provide the services that our community needs,' one former employee said. Chair Brendon Harris said the trips were approved by the board and funded by non-government revenue. Health Minister Mark Butler said on Wednesday he had sought a briefing from the Department of Health and Aged Care to ensure the $6.8 million it provides to the service each year was being spent 'in line with their grant agreements'. 'The allegations raised in the story are very serious,' Butler said on Wednesday. 'Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians.' Just one full-time GP remains at the Dubbo clinic after more than half of 20 staff members resigned at the end of last year. The service breakdown threatens to derail efforts to improve the health of some 14,000 Indigenous people in the region, who suffer from heart disease, kidney disease and lung conditions at rates higher than the state and national average.
Sydney Morning Herald
28-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Very serious': Health charity investigated after Las Vegas trip
Health authorities are investigating a taxpayer-funded regional health service after it emerged senior bosses spent more than $400,000 on all-expenses-paid trips to New Zealand, Canada and Las Vegas, allegedly restricted abortions and closed the books to new patients after failing to replace key staff. Leaders from CTG Aboriginal Health, which receives more than $10 million in state and federal funding annually on top of nearly $5 million in non-government revenue, will meet bureaucrats from Commonwealth, state and local funding bodies on Thursday to respond to allegations first raised by staff and revealed by the Herald, said two government sources not authorised to speak publicly. In a letter to the board in August last year, current and former staff expressed outrage that chief executive Phil Naden and senior board members used the charity's funds to travel to New Zealand, India, Canada and the NRL opening round in Las Vegas, while new patients were turned away from the clinic because of staff shortages and rising demand. 'I feel like headbutting the wall most days because we can't provide the services that our community needs,' one former employee said. Chair Brendon Harris said the trips were approved by the board and funded by non-government revenue. Health Minister Mark Butler said on Wednesday he had sought a briefing from the Department of Health and Aged Care to ensure the $6.8 million it provides to the service each year was being spent 'in line with their grant agreements'. 'The allegations raised in the story are very serious,' Butler said on Wednesday. 'Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians.' Just one full-time GP remains at the Dubbo clinic after more than half of 20 staff members resigned at the end of last year. The service breakdown threatens to derail efforts to improve the health of some 14,000 Indigenous people in the region, who suffer from heart disease, kidney disease and lung conditions at rates higher than the state and national average.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Everybody welcome as NRL Magic Round gets off to triumphant start
If Queensland was a country, there would be no greater trumpet of patriots than Billy Moore. On election eve, high on the western concourse of Suncorp Stadium's level five, without a view of the Sharks's 28-18 victory in the Magic Round opener below, the true voice of the people held court. In a fading but authentic 1990s Bears jersey, Moore was surrounded by seven men in their 50s. They had just asked for a photo, but the former North Sydney lock forward was in good spirits, so he regaled them about that time he screamed 'Queenslander' while running out for a State of Origin match in 1995. 'Best four seconds of my fucking life,' he told the men, to raucous laughter suggesting the moment was the best four seconds of theirs. Advertisement Related: Brisbane is NRL Magic Round's beating heart but risks becoming a victim of its own success | Jack Snape Now in its sixth year, Magic Round has become famous for the interactions between rugby league fans and their idols. Toddy Carney and Trent Barrett were doing meet-and-greets for corporate guests 50m around the corner from Moore. On the other side of the ground, at around the same time, Tigers great and Australian Rugby League Commission member, Wayne Pearce, listened politely as a man in a vintage Parramatta jersey explained his vision of the game. The event has all the ingredients of a rugby league dream. Not the long-term aspiration-style of dream, mind you. Magic Round is falling asleep on the couch with Tina Turner on repeat and a Winfield Red tucked behind the ear. The three and now four days of rugby league at Suncorp Stadium is very much a billowing fantasy for those who swear allegiance to the Steeden. It is also one that draws half the nation's attention. So Peter Dutton's decision to politicise welcome to country ceremonies in the final week of the election campaign, an act dubbed 'pure culture-war stuff' by Malcolm Turnbull, threatened to pop the magic bubble. Advertisement To the NRL's credit, the organisation stuck with their plans to hold two welcomes this week. To the credit of fans, neither was a source of angst or frustration. Instead, First Nations Australians were met on Friday not with boos but cheers. Nicho Hynes, a proud Indigenous man and mental health advocate sent KL Iro over with a masterful short pass to put Cronulla on the scoreboard. The Eels struck back not long later through Josh Addo-Carr, the Indigenous All Stars winger. Wander around Magic Round, and it's clear few want to undermine the harmony that fuels the event. The stands are a rainbow of jerseys from generations of league. Fans relish sharing the memories of others' designs. Of Brett Mullins in Canberra Milk. Craig Gower with Panther black streaked with blue. Or Luke Ricketson in tricolours adorned with Samsung, then an unheralded upstart. Now, just unheralded. One supporter with a Power's-sponsored Broncos jersey, in casual discussion about the momentum for Magic Round (his girlfriend works in travel and says it is without doubt Brisbane's biggest weekend for hotel occupancy) outed his mate in a Bulldogs flannie as a Trumpet of Patriots voter. The Canterbury man, on the subject of welcomes to country, said they were uncontroversial given the contribution of Indigenous rugby league players and the First Nations traditions of clubs like Souths. 'The AFL doesn't have a club synonymous with Indigenous excellence,' he said. Of course, rugby league is not without division and contradiction. 'Weak, woke, sending us broke,' says the attack ad targeting prime minister Anthony Albanese on the Kayo Sports coverage, paid for by conservative group Advance Australia. On the chest of Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles is the logo of James Hardie, the company whose name for many remains synonymous with grief. The avalanche of sports betting promotion promises glory, kudos and riches to young men, and yet the 'chances are you're about to lose' message at the end of each ad jars less than the knowledge the Labor government has largely failed to act on the recommendations of the late MP Peta Murphy. Advertisement But on Friday night the near 50,000 fans inside Suncorp Stadium – like much of Australia, weary after a long campaign – had little thought for the Senate ballot paper. Above the line, the enduring memory was instead left by Cronulla's Ronaldo Mulitalo, who leapt for the ball and came down contorting his body like he was a politician with a work from home policy, fumbling at the last minute. Then, late in the second match ultimately won by the Roosters 36-26, the Dolphins were eyeing a comeback. Ray Stone was almost over the line and appeared certain to score. But when a leaping Billy Smith used his outstretched fingertips to dislodge the ball, it was a reminder nothing is a sure-thing.
ABC News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
'Barking up the wrong tree' and 'copycatting Trump': First Nations leaders on the 2025 election
Wondering why critiques of Welcome to Country ceremonies are trending harder than actual policy ideas in the last week of the election campaign? It's a frustration Australia's most prominent Indigenous leaders are feeling. "There are far more important things to worry about," former social justice commissioner Mick Gooda told the ABC's Indigenous Affairs team. "They're barking up the wrong tree." Stay updated: Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on After a It's also sucked the oxygen out of an opportunity to talk about what desperately needs airtime in Indigenous affairs one week out from polling day. First Nations Australians are dying earlier than non-Indigenous Australians, are sicker and more likely to take their lives. With only four of 19 Closing the Gap targets on track, mob deserve more than point-scoring over a five-minute ceremony intended to bring people together. Professor Marica Langton says the most important Aboriginal policies aren't receiving the attention that they ought to. ( ABC News ) Professor Marcia Langton from the University of Melbourne said culture-war debates distract from the lack of suitable policies on offer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — a third of whom are the poorest in Australia, AIHW data shows. "I despair about the most important Aboriginal policies receiving the attention that they ought to receive," Professor Langton said, adding that First Nations Australians want economic growth, stability, more housing, more jobs, and a future for youth. "Only a stable government that bases its policy on good policy development and research will solve that problem." Coalition 'copycatting' Trump The opposition is promising a total rebuild when it comes to Indigenous affairs, saying it will encourage economic development and cut waste. Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians and Government Efficiency Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has promised to "make Australia great again" and "get Australia back on track," although denied she was channelling US President Donald Trump. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and her husband Colin Lillie wear Make America Great Again hats. ( Facebook ) The opposition Senator Price told the ABC the Coalition's plan was to conduct an "audit of all government programs and expenditure in Indigenous affairs" and re-prioritise "unnecessary funding towards frontline solutions." It has clear echoes of what's happening in the US, according to Professor Langton. "This copycat approach to Elon Musk being inserted into the Trump administration as the lead on the Department of Government Efficiency is alarming," Professor Langton said. "That's what the audit slogan from the LNP camp is all about. It's a slogan to persuade people to think, 'Oh, the Aborigines are wasting money again'. "The LNP has made a particularly nasty narrative about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people popular, and most of it is untrue." The ABC reached out to Senator Price for comment but did not receive a response by deadline. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on the election trail. ( ABC News: Matt Roberts ) Senator Price previously said the Coalition's plan was not just about making sure the money was spent efficiently, but delivering practical outcomes for the most vulnerable. "Despite the fact that we've spent billions of dollars in Indigenous affairs, nothing is changing to improve the lives of marginalised Indigenous Australians," she said. "We're not just looking at whether there's a level of corruption that exists, but we're looking at where outcomes are being provided to further provide investment there." Business owner and Liberal party member Sean Gordon agreed funding ought to be better prioritised but said audits were an overreach. "If we know there's a failing, and if you think there's a failing, you don't need an audit to tell you that, you go away and make the improvements to ensure that we're going to get better outcomes." Sean Gordon said it's difficult to see substantive policies from either major party this election. ( ABC News: Sean Kingma ) Mick Gooda said calls for audits were a political strategy. "As soon as you mention auditing all of our organisations, that's dog whistling," he said. "That's the signal out there that people are hearing. You're not saying 'corruption', you're saying 'audit', but their mind goes to corruption." Gooda insisted Black organisations are the most audited in Australia but added that admin, different layers of governments and bureaucracy were "taking money along the way" and not reaching mob on the ground. The surveillance of Aboriginal organisations was morphing from accountability to policing, he said. " Government wants to manage the risk of Aboriginal people ripping money off, and Aboriginal people just want to manage the risk of dying early. " The Coalition has also pledged to hold a royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities. Former Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda is disappointed the remaining reforms of the Uluru Statement are not up for discussion in this election campaign. ( ABC News: Chris Gillette ) Mick Gooda ran the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory in 2016. He questioned if a royal commission was the right platform to address sexual abuse in communities. "I don't think it's going to achieve much," he said. Read more about the federal election: Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 Labor's 'broken' Uluru Statement promise After making the Voice referendum a centrepiece of its 2022 election campaign, the government has pivoted to practical action, jobs and economic empowerment for Indigenous Australians. Although Anthony Albanese in his election victory speech committed to the Uluru Statement in full — that is Voice, Treaty and Truth-Telling — the government has been timid to talk about the T-word reforms since the referendum defeat. Albanese recently said on Q&A he doesn't regret "having a crack" at changing the constitution to include an Aboriginal Voice, that he "respects" what the country said and would concentrate on a "another direction". The 2023 referendum asked Australians a question on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament — not Treaty or Truth-Telling. ( ABC News ) It left Mick Gooda, former co-chair of the Queensland Treaty Advancement Committee, deeply disappointed. "Another broken promise … and when it gets a bit tough, people walk away," he said, adding that Australia did not vote on Treaty and Truth-Telling — only Voice. "Politically, it makes sense because of the number of people who voted no, but what we need now is a bit of courage from both sides of politics." Labor's focus on economic empowerment, jobs and housing is no doubt politically safer. It's investment without genuine power sharing: AKA what mob who've worked in policy for decades call the ye olde "pragmatic approach" and "practical reconciliation". It includes $707 million for the Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program to create 3,000 jobs in three years and an $842 million investment for the NT for employment, women's safety, children's health, education and alcohol harm reduction. Labor plans to expand the Indigenous Procurement Policy to 4 per cent by 2030. ( ABC News: Steve Keen ) Both major parties have wrestled with economic empowerment and economic development for more than two decades and although it's failed to close the gap, there are areas of progress. "I do hope that if the Albanese government wins power again, they continue with an economic development policy, because that's how jobs are created and these are the levers of closing the gap," Marcia Langton said. "It does secure jobs for local Indigenous people to stay on their land, look after their families and look after their natural assets." But Sean Gordon said creating 3,000 mostly entry-level jobs won't have the same impact as advancing Aboriginal staff that were already working in communities. "We're not developing up the next generation of Aboriginal teachers to be able to take on the teaching jobs within their communities," he said, adding that Aboriginal assistant teachers aren't paid as much as teachers and often aren't nurtured to upskill. "Why haven't we invested in developing those people up to be the teachers?" Sean Gordon wants to see greater investment in Aboriginal teachers. ( ABC News: Jerry Rickard ) The government has also boosted its target of Commonwealth contracts going to Indigenous-owned businesses from 2.5 per cent to 4 per cent by 2030. Since the Indigenous Procurement Policy was introduced a decade ago under the Abbott government, the data has been encouraging, according to Professor Langton. She pointed to research by the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership which found the number of Indigenous businesses doubled in 10 years and generated $16 billion in revenue in 2022. Nailing 'issue of disparity' These three former members of the Voice Referendum's Working Group still hope for an over-arching representative body for Aboriginal people. Professor Langton believed there will eventually be legislated voices at state and territory levels. "It is impossible to provide services to communities that are scattered right across the country without having good policy," she said, adding that "good policy comes from engagement with local populations," she said. Indigenous leaders want better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. ( ABC Local: Blythe Moore ) Sean Gordon said, right now, there was no structure that gives voice to people at a local level that was then fed up to improve policy, programs, products and the way funding was rolled out. "Rather than measuring Indigenous people against non-Indigenous people, I think we should be finding those pockets of success … and then understanding why there are pockets of success," he said. "Why are people in one community living longer? Why are they healthier? "If we can nail that, then I think we can address this issue of disparity." Loading Having trouble seeing this form? Try
