Price blasts Labor for ‘Indigenous failures’

By PETER ROWE

Estimates from the Public and Finance Public Administration Committee in Canberra have revealed the Federal Labor government has continued to fail in their oversight of Indigenous affairs, according to Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister, Senator Nampijinpa Price.

Under questioning the government confirmed that funding for the establishment of a Makarrata Commission remains in the budget, but has been removed from the agency and now sits with The Contingency Reserve.

The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Mallandirri McCarthy declined to rule out the establishment of the Commission.

“This is further evidence of the Albanese government’s ongoing vague, unclear and flip-flop attitude to Makarrata,” Senator Price said.

Senator Price said that establishing the Commission was a clear election promise made by the Albanese government quite apart from the Voice referendum, which they have not delivered on and refuse to admit.

“The Labor government’s inability to be straight with the Australian public and answer simple questions about the future of the promised Makarrata Commission is deeply troubling,” she said.

Estimates have also revealed that the National Indigenous Australians Agency did not conduct an investigation into NAAJA Chief Financial Officer Mr Madhur Evans after allegations were made of bullying and breaching confidentiality.

Instead, the NIAA relied on an investigation by Northern Territory Police which did not result in criminal charges against Mr Evans.

Senator Price said: “It is unacceptable for NAAJA to have relied on a police investigation which assesses conduct against a criminal standard of proof.

“Plenty of conduct may fall short of a criminal offence but remains completely unacceptable for a senior employee at the organisation.”

The Central Land Council has also come under fire from Senator Price for their inability to confirm whether the new Chair, Mr Warren Williams has a criminal history.

The council had not received the results of a police check before appointing Mr Williams to the position.

Senator Nampijinpa Price said the Council evidently sees value in ascertaining a person’s criminal history, yet does not believe it is important enough to have the results from before allowing that person into a leadership role.

“Regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to have performed a police check before a person is appointed to the position of Chair, it is a common practice of companies around the country, and is an important part of ensuring good organisational governance.”