The Albanese Government continues to fall into the trap of throwing good money after bad without addressing the core issue which is to make sure the funding is actually achieving the desired result.
After another whistle-stop tour of the top end, culminating in a Cabinet meeting in Darwin today, the Labor Government has announced more funding for schools and housing but no change to the governance arrangements that have failed indigenous communities in the past.
Acting Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Perin Davey, echoed the Opposition calls for an audit into indigenous funding to look at what is working, what isn’t, what is being duplicated and where the gaps are.
“Right now, the Government is funding programs that haven’t worked in the past, with no detail as to why they expect them to work this time,” Senator Davey said.
“Last year we saw the Government announce a $250 million “lifeline” for Central Australia to address social issues. It was later discovered only $156 million was allocated in the Budget and as it stands today, many are asking what has changed since then.
“Just yesterday we saw the youth crime crisis on display in Alice Springs, with a gang of teenagers taking a plumber’s work ute for a joyride through the town.
“Unfortunately, this is not the worst we have seen, with a teen dying last week after crashing a stolen vehicle.
“The situation has become out of control and the dollars being thrown around are clearly not working. Housing is only good if the home is safe. School funding will only work if children attend school.”
Senator Davey said the announcements this week will do nothing to address social issues being faced by communities because they do not change the process or the delivery that has been tried and failed in the past.
“Without an audit, we’ll continue to throw these millions down those drains, millions that could be making a real difference in underfunded projects that prove to be successful.
“It’s time for this Government to put away the media advisors and the recycled announcements and support our calls for a spending audit.
“There is nothing to be lost by finding out where taxpayer money can best be spent to ensure we can finally alleviate these issues.
ENDS
