Subjects: Remote Jobs and Economic Development program, Indigenous Rangers Program, AFL Cape York House, Indigenous art fairs
MURRAY JONES, HOST: A special guest, I've never had an opportunity to talk to Malarndirri McCarthy before. She's the Minister for Indigenous Australians and a Federal Senator. She joins me this morning. Good morning, Malarndirri. Nice to have you along this morning.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Lovely to be with you, Murray. And a big hello to all your listeners. It's such a beautiful morning here in Cairns.
MURRAY JONES: It is just such a beautiful, beautiful start to the day. You've had a bit going on the last couple of days. I believe you've been up along the Bloomfield track in the last few days and some busy stuff.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Yes.
MURRAY JONES: Tell me a little bit more about your visit.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Stunning part of the world here, as you and your listeners would know. I had the opportunity to drive up to Wujal Wujal. Taking the Bloomfield track to get there and obviously saw a lot of the roadworks through Mossman and was able to go to Jabalbina's Visitor Centre. One of the areas that I'm trying to look at is our remote regions with jobs, Murray, to make sure that we're rolling out the jobs that we need to here in Queensland, especially in the far north. Jobs to be able to lift people out of poverty and to get on with their lives in remote and regional Australia.
MURRAY JONES: I often talk about the opportunities. So much untapped potential, particularly in northern Australia, but right through the Gulf, when it comes to the critical minerals, the rare earths and these type of opportunities are such great opportunities also for Indigenous communities to become involved.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Absolutely, Murray. And some of them don't have the luxury of being close to major productions or major mining developments. So, it's also about how do we look at the small scale as well. So, for example, in Wujal Wujal, we were looking at the nursery there and the food security and the planting of foods and how they're going, certainly since Cyclone Jasper, and listening to families and Elders there. So, that was an important trip to catch up with people in Wujal Wujal.
MURRAY JONES: Now I believe there's been a bit of an expansion of the Indigenous Rangers program and this is a great opportunity obviously for Indigenous people, not just when it comes to looking after Country, but also getting involved broadly in the tourism industry as well.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, that's right. You see, when I was at Cape Tribulation and went to see the Jabalbina staff there, there were rangers, there were interpreters, people who could tour guide and they actually had a school group, one of the schools from Victoria, I think, Haileybury School. So, a big school group were coming. And so these jobs that we're providing is actually about sustainability, but also work that people enjoy, looking after Country, being on Country, talking about Country and being able to share that experience with all Australians and visitors from overseas.
MURRAY JONES: Can we talk a little bit more about some of the challenges? And sadly, for a lot of our audience when it comes to Indigenous matters, sadly, the position is in relation to things that are happening with youth stealing cars, the unlawful entries and of course a lot of antisocial behaviour happening in our CBD. Unfortunately, these really good programs that we're talking about this morning and some of the things that, you know, you've been doing just in the last couple of days, the focus on those are lost, unfortunately, because of some of the issues that we're seeing on a day to day basis. Moving forward, how can we start to actually tackle some of these key issues?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, it's all connected. Clearly, if people have jobs, if they come from homes where they can have a roof over their head and have a decent sleep, all of this is connected. And that's why our focus is on jobs and on families right across the country, Murray. And we know that there are many social issues as well in Cairns. I was able to go to AFL Cape York House and see the work that's being done with our students, our young girls, there’s the young boys in the AFL House. These sorts of programs are there to also assist, to ensure that we get our youth on the right track, not just with their families, but also in places like the schools and the education system. And I think that is a really solid example of the future for Cairns and for the growth of this area.
MURRAY JONES: Sadly, I think some of the division and the attitude that a lot of Australians, not helping when it comes to Closing the Gap and I guess lifting people up and engaging people, because I guess it is about engagement and that's the empowerment that people can get. So, it's a long road. And look, you know, we've got so many positive things happening, particularly in our region, CIAF, which is one of the biggest Indigenous art fairs anywhere in the world, just around the corner.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Oh yes. I have to get to it at some stage. In fact, I met with some of the art gallery owners, Larissa Hale and her family up in Cooktown, and they're preparing to come down and bring all their wares here. In fact, they'll also go over to the Darwin Aboriginal fashion show over there. So, there is extraordinary talent in the art sector and the fashion sector, Murray. And we do have to have to focus on that, but we are aware of the social issues. And I'd just say to your listeners that from my perspective and certainly from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and our team, we are definitely working with every area in terms of trying to improve the lives for all Australians, but especially with my area of First Nations Australians.
MURRAY JONES: But it takes the whole community.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Always.
MURRAY JONES: Obviously, it can be led by government, but at the end of the day, I guess there's certain aspects of our past that we need to be honest about. It's not indoctrination as a lot of people are saying, particularly from the extreme right when it comes to learning about our past. But I guess being Australian, it is the Australian way of working together. Sure, we've got the challenges, but we can move through this in time and I guess focus on the positives. Even though sadly on a day-to-day basis there is a bit of a focus on those negativities.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: You're right, Murray. And I've always said to people that we can always dwell on the negative, but it gets us nowhere. What we have to do is stay focused on what we can do, what we can achieve for the greater good of all people. And that's my focus.
MURRAY JONES: People are people at the end of the day. And I think that's the important thing to keep in mind as well.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Yes. Absolutely.
MURRAY JONES: Great to talk to you this morning, even though we brought up some challenging things, but I guess we've got to look at these things objectively, but also with a very much a positive throw as well. The Minister here in Australia for Indigenous Affairs. Great to talk to you this morning, Malarndirri McCarthy. Have a great day and we'll catch you up soon.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Thanks, Murray. A pleasure to join you.