Remote Australia, with its vast landscapes and sparse populations, is a region rich in potential.
Having grown up in Borroloola, about 1,000 kilometres from Darwin in the Northern Territory, I have experienced first-hand both the challenges and possibilities that exist in remote communities.
For many people living in remote small towns, finding a job can be difficult – and sometimes daunting.
Labour markets are vastly different to those in regional and urban areas.
There is no large shopping centre, no local fast-food chain where young people in the city typically get their first job.
Opportunities are limited and barriers such as availability of jobs, access to training, and capacity of employers are very real.
Removing these barriers is the driving force behind the Albanese Labor Government’s approach to reforming remote employment and delivering on our commitment to replace the failed Community Development Program, or CDP.
To do this, we need to remember what a job means.
A job doesn’t just put money in someone’s pocket, it gives purpose.
Financial security through meaningful employment is key to building strong futures.
I’ve seen time and time again the impact that a job can have, not just for an individual, but also for their family and their community.
I have experienced this in my own life.
When I was in year 12, my English teacher encouraged me to apply for a cadetship with the ABC in Darwin – something I’d never considered.
That belief in me changed my path.
The cadetship opened doors I didn’t know existed, leading to a 16-year career as a journalist, which ultimately gave me the experience and confidence to step into politics.
As Minister for Indigenous Australians, what I want for First Nations people in remote communities is what my teacher gave me – the belief that opportunities exist and are within reach.
I want our young people to hear someone say, ‘I think you should go for this job,’ just like I heard all those years ago.
The difference today is we need to see these opportunities in remote communities.
The idea that you need to leave home, move to a big city or a regional centre to find work is something we must change.
People deserve the chance to thrive in their own communities – and this is the goal of our Remote Jobs and Economic Development program.
It’s no easy task, but it is possible. And we are determined to continue working with First Nations communities to get better outcomes.
In fact, we’ve already seen remarkable success stories.
Take Lily Lagoon, a resort just outside Kununurra in Western Australia, one of the few Aboriginal-owned and operated tourism and hospitality operations in the Kimberley.
As part of the Government’s Remote Jobs trial, they’ve created 17 new jobs for First Nations people – food and beverage attendants, guest services, kitchen hands, maintenance workers and more.
These jobs have not only provided employment for 17 people but have helped the resort meet the growing demand from tourists.
This is just one example but shows what’s possible when we work alongside remote communities to create real, lasting opportunities.
If we are serious about changing employment outcomes in remote Australia, it’s about imagining jobs where they haven’t existed before.
It’s about giving local businesses the means to flourish.
By doing this, we not only change lives, we realise the potential of our people in remote Australia.