MARION SCRYMGOUR, MEMBER FOR LINGIARI: I want to welcome everyone to this fantastic function. It is really great to be joined by Minister McCarthy, who often comes down here, but certainly, today, making the announcement about the Albanese Government’s commitment to upgrade and to provide funding to schools like Yirara to get better boarding facilities for young people coming from not just in the Northern Territory, but right throughout regional Australia. But without further ado, and it’s great to be joined by Wes, the Principal, but the most important people who we’re talking about in terms of these facilities are these students that stand behind. So, it is fantastic for our government to be delivering on this commitment, and now I welcome the Minister to say a few words.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Thank you. Thanks, Marion, and thank you all for being here. Again, I just want to say thank you to everyone who’s been a part of this process, in particular, Minister Jason Clare, the Education Minister, the former Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney. There has been a tremendous amount of effort gone into Central Australia in terms of the schools. We have made a major commitment federally to schooling across Central Australia with over $40 million across the regions. But what I’m really delighted to announce today, to Wes, and to all the students at Yirara College, is $10 million that will go here to Yirara College as part of an $18 million package that will see support for their boarding facilities. And we know that Yirara College has a significant history. Way back in the 70s, way back to Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. We know that the facilities here do need refurbishing, and it was good to be able to have a walk around and see the girls’ facilities in particular, but also know that it’s going to make a big difference for the students who come from right across the Northern Territory. But even those who come from South Australia and also from Western Australia to be students here at the college. And the other two schools that I’d like to announce today as well is Yipirinya College, which has also asked for boarding facilities funding and also St Philip’s College. So, those three schools are the schools I’m very pleased to announce today. And happy to hand over to Wes.
WESLEY MEURANT, YIRARA COLLEGE PRINCIPAL: It’s a wonderful day for Yirara College. It’s with a sense of great humility and gratitude that Yirara now looks to the future and the sustainability of appropriate living accommodation for young people of the Northern Territory and for Western Australia as well. Our students come from all over the Territory and even parts of South Australia and Queensland. And from the perspective of those that live and work at Yirara College, with the young people here that we represent and that we work for a brighter future for, it’s an investment in their future and it’s an investment in their potential. And to see the beginning of what you can probably sum up as equity with major regional and major metro areas in what would be considered to be appropriate residential settings, this is a massive step forward and a vote of confidence for the boarding school here in Central Australia as we look forward towards to the next 50 years. And I think it was an appropriate point to raise that the school was birthed under the leadership of Gough Whitlam in 1973. Now, we move forward and look forward to the next 50 years in what we’ve known and term as ‘dreaming of a better future’ and dreaming together, coming together, and working forward towards bright futures for our young people. So, we’re represented behind by young people from as far as Borroloola and here in Arrernte Country, and as far down as Port Pirie. So, it’s a great honour and it’s with great reverence that we take on that charge. And there’s wonderful history here in Central Australia with the Lutheran Church, it’s how we look forward to continuing what was a really bright beginning. And so I think humility is probably the most apt word, and we’re very grateful for the opportunity to provide.
JOURNALIST: So, how did you decide how this $18 million would be distributed between the three schools?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: It was an open tender. So, as part of the Federal Government rules around open tenders, all boarding schools were invited to apply, even those who are not boarding schools but felt they’d like to be a boarding school. This was specifically for boarding schools and so they just went through the open tender process.
JOURNALIST: We know that Yipirinya has been asking for $12 million for the proposed boarding school, and they’ve gotten about $6.5 million. What was the decision‑making behind that?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, clearly those who made the decision through Jason Clare’s department, plus the National Indigenous Australians Agency, saw that the requirement was really meant for $6 million in terms of providing the grant, or just over $6 million. And that has been the outcome. And it gives the opportunity as well for St Philip’s to also receive part of the $18 million funding.
JOURNALIST: You’ve also announced funding for community-led safety patrols in Alice Springs. How will that be divided between Tang [Tangentyere Council] and also Lhere Artepe?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Look, I would like to commend the patrollers at Tangentyere and Lhere Artepe. It was really good to spend time with them last night out on the streets of Alice Springs, to be a part of the briefing at 7pm with the Northern Territory Police, plus those two organisations, and also the Department of Families. There has to be a collective responsibility in working with the many issues that we know are troubling our youths and families, not just in Central Australia but, in fact, right across the country. So, I was very pleased to be there and to listen to the patrollers. We know that they are very valued, and it’s important that there is enough funding to be able to provide those patrollers on the streets but also to be able to have more support so that you’re not seeing the same people. There is – you know, it’s important to have a roster system. It’s important to be able to have a backup system so people can have a rest and have others replace them. And we will continue to support them while they are doing really good work for the people of Central Australia.
JOURNALIST: Do we know how that funding will be divided between the two?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: We can certainly provide those details to you. I’m pretty good at maths, but there’s just so many figures in my head –
JOURNALIST: There’s a few announcements. You’ve also announced money for more school holiday programs. Looking back at the funding that was provided over last summer, what would you say worked, what didn’t work, and what could change this year?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: After the summer, I was able to spend a bit of time serving with the organisations earlier this year just to see how they went with their holiday programs. I know, in particular with the Central Regional Council, the MacDonnell Regional Council, they had really seen some improvements with the support for youth in the communities. And, of course, the ones here in Alice Springs. Obviously the pool’s a real go-getter. You know, to have that free, it makes common sense to just attract our youth, but just families in particular. But then, of course, the Gap Youth Centre. So, I know that the school holiday program is really significant. We’re coming up to another summer and I want to, and have, invested more, along with the Prime Minister’s support for this region and with Marion Scrymgour’s lobbying. I mean, it really is Marion Scrymgour who’s made sure that these organisations have got an increase. I commend Marion for the work that she’s doing here.
JOURNALIST: We saw the Oonchiumpa pilot program last year as well. What was the outcome of that program?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Yes, I’ve heard some pretty important results for Oonchiumpa in terms of, I believe it’s around 20 young people who’ve gone through that program have not had to go back into the program. Which I think is important that we keep performance indicators of how we not only assist the youth but make sure they move on and out of the system, not stay in it as a revolving door.
JOURNALIST: Obviously, the start of this week marked the year anniversary of the Voice referendum. You’ve spent some time in Central Australia talking to people in education and community safety. What’s been your reflections, I guess, on a year since you've spent a bit of time here in Central Australia as well?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: It’s about getting on with the job now, Charlie, it really is. You know, we certainly spent the lead-up to Monday very much in a lot of reflection. I knew from travelling out soon after the referendum, straight away how difficult it was for people. People were angry. People were hurt. People felt really quite traumatised by some of the negative commentary throughout that, in particular around First Nations people and First Nations issues, which were really unhelpful. You know, we should be about a country that can have our public discourse without resorting to name calling and pulling people down. I’m all about lifting people up. You know, it doesn’t worry me where you come from, who you are – just have respectful conversation and put your arguments forward.
JOURNALIST: It was reported yesterday that a Council – not too sure on the pronunciation, so forgive me –
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Anindlyakwa.
JOURNALIST: Yeah, was raided by the NACC. Would you have a comment on that, please?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: I understand that that has occurred in terms of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. I’d just like to also remind people that it was actually the previous Minister, Linda Burney, who did make a report to the National Anti-Corruption Commission around the ALC. So, clearly the Commission has stepped in and acted on that. I am aware of what occurred. And I’ll also say this: that one of the other things we did put in place – and the previous Minister did that, Linda Burney – in terms of a review, and when that review came back to me when I took on the role, I was not happy with the outcome of the Land Council’s audit process and have withheld their budget to only a particular amount of money until I’m convinced that they are improving. I am delighted to say, though, that a new Board has been elected on Groote Eylandt. The Chair is doing an incredible job, and I’m very pleased to see it starting to turn around.