McCarthy condemns Hanson plan to scrap Indigenous agency

Malarndirri McCarthy has condemned Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club address last week as “divisive” and warned it would undermine Indigenous programs.

The Minister for Indigenous Australians also linked Hanson’s agenda to Coalition senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s criticism of Labour’s Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program.

Key Points

In a combative address to the National Press Club last week, Senator Hanson pledged that One Nation would abolish the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) if it formed government. She argued the move would reduce government debt and ensure First Nations people were treated the same as other Australians.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy.

Senator Hanson said government support should not be allocated based on race, contending a First Nations child should not receive greater education funding than another child. She also questioned current spending levels and accountability, citing an oft-repeated $30 billion annual figure without identifying its source.

Undermine Indigenous programs

Responding on social media, Senator McCarthy said the far-right Senator’s comments would undermine Indigenous programs and services. She warned that dismantling the NIAA and ending Indigenous-specific programming would strip critical support from communities and erase gains in areas such as employment and land stewardship.

“Senator Pauline Hanson has now confirmed that all Indigenous programs would be abolished under a One Nation government,” Senator McCarthy said.

“Our food security programs, jobs that give people the dignity of work and a pathway out of poverty, and our Indigenous Rangers — caring for country — would all be wiped out.”

Senator McCarthy characterised the rhetoric as divisive and said diversity is one of the country’s greatest strengths. She also sought to connect Senator Hanson’s position with criticism from within the Coalition of Labour’s approach to remote employment and development.

Price questions Labour’s program

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has repeatedly questioned the value for money of Labour’s Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program, which replaced the former Coalition government’s Community Development Program.

In a recent email to supporters, she highlighted the program’s almost $950 million cost and its aim to create around 6000 jobs in remote communities.