Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

New Liberal Party policy on Indigenous Affairs

5 December 2009

The Australian Government notes the new Liberal Party policy announced today to appoint individual commissioners to Indigenous communities to control most administration, including alcohol bans, welfare quarantining and public housing.

In today’s Weekend Australian, Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, canvassed the new policy of individual commissioners with broad-ranging powers.

The Government looks forward to seeing the full details of this new Liberal Party policy, including the full costings associated with this new form of community governance.

The Government will be responding to this new Liberal Party policy in full, once these details have been released.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Government acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, water, culture and community. We pay our respects to the Elders both past and present.