The Albanese and Finocchiaro Governments are strengthening critical service delivery for remote First Nations communities in the Northern Territory, with eight new funding agreements now signed as part of the Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment (NTRAI).
The funding agreements feature some of the strongest ever transparency mechanisms to lift accountability and ensure remote communities directly benefit from the landmark partnership between the two governments and Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT).
The Albanese Government is investing $842.6 million over six years to strengthen remote services supporting families, wellbeing and community safety.
The investment includes:
- $205.8 million to strengthen cultural-responsiveness and increase the delivery of remote policing activities, ensuring safer communities.
- $135.9 million to expand and deliver up to 12 new Child and Family Centres and increase support for 19 remote women’s safe spaces.
- $89.2 million to strengthen early learning, improve school readiness and build strong foundations for lifelong learning and opportunity.
- $76 million to enable First Nations communities to lead local solutions that reduce alcohol-related harm.
- $55 million to expand Aboriginal Interpreter Services to improve access to services, including health and justice.
- $50.5 million to support the delivery of integrated, coordinated and culturally safe oral and hearing health services for children.
- $33 million to support improved outcomes for children in remote non-government schools, including attendance, attainment and engagement outcomes, and to support the development of the First Nations education workforce.
- $8.4 million to support the development and implementation of a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Framework.
These services are critical to making progress on the outcomes under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and will also support continuity for more than 570 jobs, including 278 First Nations jobs.
Each new NTRAI funding agreement has been developed through shared decision making and a genuine partnership process with the NT Government and our First Nations partner, Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT).
Additional new funding agreements for place-based community and economic development, mediation and peacemaking activities, and Aboriginal Law and Justice Groups are expected to be finalised over the coming months.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The National Agreement on Closing the Gap makes clear that all levels of government must step up. The NTRAI partnership model puts stronger expectations on the NT Government and the Commonwealth to deliver outcomes our communities can see and feel.
“With APONT at the table, we will continue to build support for programs and services delivered by Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations, to make sure remote communities get the best outcomes.
“Our government will continue to work with the NT Government and APONT to make sure remote communities are not left behind.”
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Remote Communities, Marion Scrymgour:
“Without wrap-around investment in remote communities, we will not see substantive change for the Northern Territory. Our remote communities face unique and systemic challenges, and all levels of governments must come together to address them.
“This is the only way we will see sustainable solutions and outcomes, and it is the underpinning belief which drives the Commonwealth’s approach to remote communities.
“When we support families in a holistic way, we see better outcomes for young people. In this package there is also very important measures to work with families to reduce alcohol-related harm, which is something I have long-been advocating for.”
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro:
“Community safety continues to be the number one priority for the Northern Territory Government.
“We welcome the renewed funding commitment, including $205 million for remote policing, which will help deliver safer communities across the Territory.
“Strengthening essential services in remote areas, particularly policing, education and healthcare, is critical to supporting Aboriginal communities and creating safer, stronger futures.”
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Steven Edgington:
“This agreement puts real action behind our commitment to Closing the Gap in the Territory.
“It puts bush communities in the driver’s seat, strengthening their voice in local decisions and development.
“This deal locks in the services communities rely on, remote policing, alcohol harm reduction, health programs, and interpreter services.”
Quotes attributable to Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory Convenor, Theresa Roe:
“This funding is critical to providing important services to remote communities in the Northern Territory.
“More importantly though, these services are being designed, monitored and evaluated in partnership with Aboriginal people and the key organisations that represent them.
“This ensures that Aboriginal people have a say in what are the priorities for Aboriginal people, rather than government.”