May I firstly acknowledge the Larrakia people, on whose land we come together for this incredibly significant occasion for First Nations media across the country.
For those who couldn’t join you here I’m sure if they can, they are certainly touching base with each of you as to how it’s all going.
I’ve had the opportunity to take leave from the Senate today to be able to join you, and I’m really pleased that I could do that, so I do thank the Parliament for that.
Can I acknowledge Uncle Ned Hargraves and all the Yuendemu mob, really beautiful to see you.
I’d like to say to the families before I begin my speech, that the Senate this morning, with work between both myself and Senator Thorpe, we were able to pass a motion.
If I may, if I could just read some of that to you all.
It says:
That the Senate—
- notes that on 27 May 2025, 24-year-old disabled Warlpiri-Luritja man Kumanjayi White died a tragic death under police restraint inside a supermarket in Mparntwe/Alice Springs;
- extend its deepest sympathies to the family of Kumanjayi White and the Yuendumu community;
- notes that 17 First Nations people have died in custody this year and extends its deepest sympathies to the families of these people;
- resolves that all parliamentarians will work constructively together to address the over-incarceration of First Nations people and deaths in custody; and
- calls on the Government to:
- support Kumanjayi White’s family, and note their request for:
- the re-establishment of community-control and self-determination in the Northern Territory, and
- the reversal of interventionist policies introduced under the NT Intervention and subsequent Stronger Futures legislation 18 years ago;
- ensure there is appropriate support for the impacted family, for sorry business, during the coronial inquest, and necessary legal support,
- continue to work with States and Territories to:
- implement recommendations from the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, and
- ensure appropriate conduct of investigations into First Nations deaths in custody and monitor progress of recommendations made to the Government relating to deaths in custody.
- support Kumanjayi White’s family, and note their request for:
That’s the motion that passed the Senate this morning.
I thank Senator Thorpe for her focus on this area. It is important to have diverse views in the Parliament and it’s important that we try to reach a point of agreement where we can. Obviously, disagree where we need to but always try and do so respectfully.
So, I do want to acknowledge the work of my fellow First Nations parliamentarians, both on the opposite side as well as on my side with Senator Dorinda Cox and Senator Jana Stewart, and Marion Scrymgour in particular.
I think it’s been really important and a good start to the 48th Parliament.
I’d like to thank John-Paul Janke for that introduction and to Rhoda Roberts for your incredibly inspiring keynote address.
I pay my respects to Elders past and present here.
It’s great to be home, back to the Northern Territory, not for long, but I am pleased to be here. I wanted to make sure I was available to each of you because the work that you do is incredibly important.
I have so much respect for First Nations media in this country.
I know how hard and difficult it is. I know how under resourced you often feel and isolated and I want you to know that I am here for you.
I know first-hand the power of First Nations media – in my time as a journalist, and now as Minister for Indigenous Australians.
One of my proudest achievements was setting up the first community radio station in my home of Borroloola.
I acknowledge my family is here.
And a shout out The Voice of the Gulf.
All First Nations media are united by a common purpose – to speak to your communities and share your stories.
Our government has a strong commitment to First Nations media.
In 2025, we are delivering annual funding of over $26 million to support 48 First Nations media organisations including Indigenous Radio Stations, Remote Indigenous Media Organisations and Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Services.
And of course, to support First Nations Media Australia, as the peak organisation representing the sector.
As I’ve travelled around the country I’ve tried to touch base with the different First Nations media organisations.
I’m conscious there are different things coming up, exciting challenges. I know when I was in Brisbane with Karen and the NIRS team there, we’re talking about the preparation for the Brisbane Olympics and different things like that.
I think all of that is really critical into our future planning going forward. I want to see First Nations media front and centre as much as anyone else.
Last December, our government announced additional funding for the sector through the News Media Assistance Program.
This included $12 million through the Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program.
This investment will support currently funded organisations to address urgent priorities and essential items through one-off projects.
These projects include capability building, equipment and infrastructure upgrades, and training and education, including in news and journalism, technical skills development, and repairs and maintenance.
Our government is committed to working in partnership with First Nations media to ensure it is strong into the future.
This year’s Community Broadcasting Sector Sustainability Review made a number of recommendations.
Among them, in alignment with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, that the government work in partnership to develop a First Nations Broadcasting Strategy.
I know that the National Indigenous Australians Agency is engaging with First Nations Media Australia and other government departments to progress this Strategy and I thank FNMA for your collaboration on this.
The Minister for Communications Annika Wells is also considering options to better support the sector, including licence conditions and bringing a First Nations broadcaster to licence areas that do not currently have one.
We are very keen to work with you in this space.
We all know that media is more than radio, TV and newspapers these days.
That’s why digital inclusion is so important. For social connectedness, economic participation, and access to important services such as telehealth and online education.
That’s why we are delivering free public Wi-Fi services in 23 remote communities.
And I’m pleased to say the 23rd community, Doomadgee in Queensland, came online this week.
The First Nations Digital Advisory Group ensures First Nations perspectives are increasingly incorporated into digital policy across government, including the Regional Telecommunications Review, the introduction of a Digital ID and the review of the community
broadcasting sector.
When we talk about digital, one area that we are embarking on that you would have heard is concerns about our young people and the use of social media and sometimes the irresponsible use of social media.
First Nations media are going to be absolutely critical in that space too.
We do want to see a ban on social media in terms of TikTok, Instagram, some of the usage of YouTube as well, for those under 16.
Where I’ll be looking at is how we’re going to do that for our kids, with different languages, with remote areas, with our cities.
How are we going to reach our kids and I believe that is going to require assistance from your sector.
So, have a think about what that could look like and what kind of ideas you can put to us as a government, in particular the Minister for Communications, as to how we can do that.
I’m really worried about our kids, social media is causing far more problems than good, unfortunately.
In terms of the broader telecommunications, we also know that it keeps us connected.
We are actively reviewing the Telecommunications Consumer Protection framework to make sure it is doing its job of protecting all consumers.
You might have seen recently that Optus was fined $100 million for deliberately targeting vulnerable customers, including First Nations people from remote communities.
It’s an absolute disgrace.
And it’s not the first time, Telstra did the same thing. Optus has now done it.
I have spoken with Optus and I have spoken with the ACCC to express my absolute disgust.
It’s not good enough.
However, if you’re going to be fined $100 million have a talk to the appropriate people to see how that money can be used for good.
So, I know there are conversations taking place around that and I will be watching that closely.
As you have heard and as you all know, there is plenty happening in First Nations media and the broader media sector.
Thank you to each of you for your hard work and for your dedication to community, to mob and to Country as we criss-cross listening to the different stories from one end of the country to the other.
Through your voices, through your eyes, and through your print and the way you put that across.
It is always challenging for me in this role, but I couldn’t be prouder than addressing you all here today.
And to say please know that you are appreciated and you are respected.
And please keep going.
Yo, Bauji Barra.