Ministers begin consultations to build stronger futures in the Northern Territory

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and the Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, visited Tennant Creek today for the first community meeting to discuss the next steps towards building stronger futures for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory.

The visit begins a six week consultation period that will include one-on-one and community meetings with Indigenous people in remote communities, regional centres and town camps across the Northern Territory.

The Australian Government last week launched the discussion paper, Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory, to guide the conversations at these meetings.

Over the last four years we have made significant progress in improving people’s lives in the Northern Territory, but the situation for many Indigenous families remains critical.

We know that a stronger future can only be built in partnership with Indigenous people and communities because the issues we want to tackle are the same issues that many Indigenous people face every day.

Indigenous people in the Northern Territory will have the opportunity to have a genuine say about how we can work together to address disadvantage and build stronger futures for families and communities.

We want to hear local suggestions to tackle the unacceptable level of disadvantage for Indigenous people in the NT, with a particular focus on improved education for children, expanded employment opportunities and tackling alcohol abuse.

We will not succeed in tackling these issues if people do not feel respected to take responsibility for their own lives.

Through the consultation process, the Government will also be talking to leaders and organisations which support Indigenous people, to non-Indigenous Territorians and to the Northern Territory Government.

To view a full list of the consultation locations and dates, visit: http://www.indigenous.gov.au/index.php/no-category/the-consultations/

To view a copy of the discussion paper, visit: http://www.indigenous.gov.au/index.php/stronger-futures-in-the-northern-territory