Albanese government announces funding for infrastructure and DV projects in remote and Central Australia

The Commonwealth has released up to $27m for projects in Alice Springs and the NT, as campaigning unofficially begins. Read where the money’s going.

Senior federal cabinet minister Amanda Rishworth will visit Alice Springs on Wednesday, allocating more funding from the Central Australia Plan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The federal government will today announce two multimillion-dollar funding pools for the Northern Territory, supporting shovel-ready infrastructure projects and domestic violence programs.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth will visit Alice Springs on Wednesday to allocate up to $27m for Central Australia and remote communities.

Close to $9m of the money will go to four organisations in Central Australia tackling domestic violence.

The funding has been allocated from almost $350m already promised to the region as part of the Central Australia Plan.

Under the Strengthening Families and Communities Partnership, funding will be shared between the Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit, the Central Australian Women’s Legal Services, Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation and the NPY Women’s Council.

Activities to be funded include providing minor infrastructure to ensure safe and secure spaces for youth and community activities, as well as supporting cultural, health and wellbeing, and social programs for the whole community, a visiting program for Aṉangu men in Alice Springs Prison to facilitate learning about respectful relationships and how to be a good man and delivering more family and community legal and safety services.

Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth. (AAP Image/Jane Dempster)

Ms Rishworth will also announce $18m for communities in the NT (along with Doomadgee across the Queensland border) under the third tranche of the Community-led Solutions Economic Development grants.

The grants support ‘shovel-ready’ community-led infrastructure projects that will provide ongoing and sustainable opportunities for training and employment.

While a date for this year’s federal election is yet to be confirmed, a visit to the Territory from a senior Cabinet minister – coming hot on the heels of two stopovers by the Prime Minister himself – is a sure sign of campaign efforts ramping up.

From the other side of the aisle Nationals leader David Littleproud will also arrive in Alice Springs on Wednesday, doorknocking with Country Liberal candidate Lisa Siebert.

Ms Rishworth said the two funding pools highlighted the Albanese government’s commitment to Central Australia and First Nations communities.

“These grants support local organisations that have shown they are the best suited to address the most significant issues in their communities,” she said.

Federal Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour congratulated the local organisations selected for funding.

“I am delighted with the funding announcement to help Central Australian communities put in place prevention and intervention initiatives that address gender-based violence,” she said.

“I am confident this funding will deliver substantial benefits for Central Australia in supporting safer, more secure communities, strengthening cultural health and wellbeing, and facilitating healthy and respectful relationships.”

Ms Scrymgour and Ms Rishworth were in Katherine on Tuesday to announce $12.2m to establish three Men’s Wellness Centres in the Top End, aimed at encouraging healthy relationships for Indigenous men and boys.