Inside the Gov’s $424 Million Plan to Help First Nations Communities

February 14, 2023

Warning: This article deals with the topic of targeted violence against groups of First Nations peoples and may be triggering for some readers. It also deals with the topic of family violence and could be triggering for some readers.

There’s no denying that there’s a quality of life chasm between most white folks and most First Nations folks. This can be demonstrated in the fact that over 500 remote Indigenous communities still struggle with unsafe drinking water.

Moreover, First Nations peoples everywhere suffer from racism and discrimination on the daily. In 2023, these individuals are walking upon land that was brutally stolen from them.

To combat some of these issues, the Federal Government is actioning some suggestions that the 2022 Closing the Gap Annual Report recommended. The Closing the Gap is a national governmental strategy that aims to improve the lives of First Nations peoples.

So, what exactly is the Federal Government doing in 2023? Well, they’re planning on spending $424 million on improving First Nations peoples’ access to housing, education, food, and clean drinking water.

“We saw the outcomes in the 2022 Closing the Gap Annual Report and know that we need to be doing more as a government,” said Linda Burney, a proud Wiradjuri woman and our Minister for Indigenous Australians.

“Our measures are going to be more specific and more targeted, making real impacts that complement work underway in states and territories, and back-in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to lead work in their communities.”

Additionally, a proud Yanyuwa woman, and the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, is excited about this Closing the Gap announcement.

“The substantial investment in clean drinking water, remote housing, and food security will be a game changer for so many Indigenous Australians who live out in bush communities,” said McCarthy.

“Together, this comprehensive support will help build stronger families and communities today, and ensure future generations can get the best start to life and achieve their full potential.”

To be specific, the Closing the Gap fund will be used in the following ways:

$111.7 million will be used to speed up building new remote housing in the Northern Territory. This money will be provided over a one-year period.
$38.4 million will be used to fund on-country learning programs. This money will be provided over a four-year period.
$11.8 million will be used to create a national strategy for providing remote communities with adequate food options. This money will be used over a one-year period.
$68.6 million will be used to prevent family violence from taking place in First Nations homes. This money will be provided over a two-year period.
$21.9 million will be used to help First Nations people who have been impacted by family violence. This money will be provided over a five-year period.
$21.6 million will be used to support First Nations students who are boarding for educational purposes. This money will be provided over a one-year period.
$150 million will also be given to First Nations water infrastructure projects. This money will be provided over a four-year period.

This Closing the Gap pledge was announced on February 13 2023, the 15th-year anniversary of Kevin Rudd’s Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples speech. During his 2008 speech, our former Prime Minister said that the Federal Government was sorry for forcibly stealing First Nations children away from their parents and creating the Stolen Generations.

If this article brings up any issues for you or anyone you know, or you have experienced targeted violence, please contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

If this article brings up any issues for you or anyone you know, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) — the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

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