Albanese government, Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory, reach $842.6m agreement

A six year multimillion-dollar agreement has been signed by the Territory and federal governments and a peak organisation which is set to improve outcomes in remote communities. Find out how.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Both the federal and Northern Territory governments and a peak NT organisation have come to a six-year multi-million dollar agreement aimed at improving the lives of Indigenous Territorians.

The Albanese government, in conjunction with the NT government, has signed a partnership with the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory which will commit $842.6 million to deliver the Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, visiting Alice Springs on Friday, said the funding would help close the gap.

“Australians want to close the gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Australians believe in the fair go,” he said.

“The task before us is to build a future in which all Australians have access to the same opportunities.”

The funding is expected to create more than 570 jobs, according to a the federal government, with 278 of those to be First Nations Territorians.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said $205.9 million would go towards remote policing efforts.

An NT Police Vehicle in the remote community of Kalkarindgi. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“The Northern Territory Government welcomes the renewal of this important funding agreement,” she said.

“All Territorians have a right to be safe from violence and ensuring our remote communities are effectively policed benefits the entire Territory.”

Twelve Aboriginal Community Controlled Children and Family Centres will also receive a share of the funding.

The funding is earmarked to enable the continuation of essential delivery in remote communities, such as policing, women’s safety, education, and alcohol harm reduction.

Aboriginal interpreter services will also cop a boost, while new funding set aside for community development, mediation, and peacekeeping services.

Indigenous Australians minister Malarndirri McCarthy said the funding would ensure communities had access to the critical services they needed.

“The Albanese Government is committed to working in genuine partnership with First Nations people in the Northern Territory to deliver better outcomes in line with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap,” she said.

Indigenous Australians minister Malarndirri McCarthy in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Partnering with Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory will ensure critical services are informed by the perspectives of Aboriginal people living in remote parts of the Territory and strengthen the capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to deliver services in remote areas.”

Hearing and oral health services will also continue to be funded under the new agreement, while Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations will also have strengthened support to enable transition from government to community control over time.

Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory convenor Dr John Paterson labelled the funding a “significant commitment”.

“Investing in Aboriginal self-determination to Close the Gap in the Northern Territory will deliver vital services and programs for our Mob in the bush,” he said.

“APO NT will work in partnership with governments to make sure this funding hits the ground where it is really needed, and we commit to strengthening this partnership over the next six years.

“Aboriginal people hold the knowledge needed to improve outcomes for our people and communities. This investment and commitment from governments is another step in the right direction toward enabling true self-determination for Aboriginal Territorians.”