Making the best use of the budget: Involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in decision-making is key

While there were few surprises for Indigenous Affairs in yesterday’s budget, the Coalition of Peaks is warning that when it comes to closing the gap, it’s not just what you spend, but how you spend it. 

The peak body for more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations is concerned the $299 million for remote jobs – announced in February and included in this year’s budget – will not have the full positive effect if shared decision-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations is not central to the roll out.

“There is some welcomed funding for Closing the Gap, and more importantly the broader funding for fuel security is essential for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities where diesel prices can mean the difference between putting dinner on the table or not,” said Coalition of Peaks Lead Convenor Donnella Mills.

Ms Mills said she was disappointed the government had not heeded the Central Land Council’s call for a lift in the Remote Area Allowance, which helps people receiving income support with higher living costs in remote areas.

Ms Mills said despite this, there was also much to welcome in the budget.

“The establishment of the first ever national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak body for preventing and responding to family, domestic and sexual violence is a massive achievement the sector had been calling on for a long time.”

Other funding welcomed by the Coalition of Peaks includes:

• Remote food security initiatives to support stores to stock healthy and affordable food: 

  • $27.4 million over four years for the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme 

  • $32.7 million over three years for the Store Efficiency and Resilience Package 

• $100 million to be released from the Housing Australia Future Fund to improve the quality of housing for our people in remote areas

• $2.2 million for First Languages Australia to extend its existing program in the 2027 school year to continue working with teachers and educators supporting Indigenous language journeys and embed knowledge of local cultures to First Nations primary school students