Indigenous media mailing list
Statement on IBA Governance issues
The former CEO of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) Mr Ron Morony wrote to the Board of IBA on 17 March 2010 raising serious concerns about poor governance and bad practices.
Because this is a Commonwealth Statutory Authority responsible for managing large sums of money I have been seeking a copy of the letter from IBA through Senate Estimates for more than a year.
After much stalling from IBA, the letter was finally tabled at Senate Estimates last week . The letter touches on concerns I have had with IBA over the last 2 years.
Scullion uncovers ploy to circumvent Indigenous Act
Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion has uncovered a ploy by a major Australian Government Corporation, the Indigenous Land Incorporation (ILC), to circumvent the act under which they are governed.
Macklin should listen to the people on new NT Land Council
The Gillard Government should leave it to Aboriginal people to determine if they want a new Land Council Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion said after Minister Jenny Macklin knocked back a proposed new Katherine Land Council.
I’m not arguing the merits of a new Katherine Land Council or of the Northern Land Council but it should be a decision for Aboriginal people,” Senator Scullion said.
“On my reading of Justice Olney’s report there were no impediments identified to the formation of a new Land Council.
Thomson appointment pours salt on live cattle trade wound
Kelvin Thomson’s appointment as Parliamentary Secretary for Trade by Julia Gillard rubs salt into the wounds of Northern Australia still recovering from the live cattle export ban, Country Liberals Senator for the Northern Territory Nigel Scullion said.
“This decision again shows Julia Gillard’s appalling judgement given that Kelvin Thomson led the Labor charge against the live cattle trade,” Senator Scullion said.
NT Indigenous housing mismanagement revealed
It has been revealed the Gillard Government has left 158 public houses in the Northern Territory in limbo without tenancy agreements, Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion said.
“The revelation came in a response to a Question on Notice at Senate Estimates in October asking how many refurbished houses were not under tenancy agreements,” Senator Scullion said.
“Taxpayers should be concerned. You wouldn’t rent your home to someone without a tenancy agreement but the Gillard Government does.
Labor backflip won’t stop petrol sniffing
The Gillard Labor Government has back flipped and now claims to support a Greens ill-conceived petrol sniffing bill that won’t work, Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion said.
“I do not question the motivation of the Greens but the Low Aromatic Fuel Bill is not workable.
“Every stakeholder acknowledges this issue would be better handled at a state and territory level,” Senator Scullion said.
Regulator tackles Indigenous governance head-on
Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion has commended the work of the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) for its efforts to improve the performance and business standards of Indigenous Corporations.
“Indigenous Australians are demanding that the organisations that are meant to serve them are well governed and well managed and ORIC plays a crucial role in achieving that end,” Senator Scullion said.
Clare Martin failed Indigenous children
Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion called on former Northern Territory Labor Chief Minister Clare Martin to apologise for failing to protect Indigenous children under her watch.
“Clare Martin is attempting to re-write history by saying she should have fought harder against the intervention,” Senator Scullion said of media reports today quoting Martin.
“In fact the Martin Labor Government inaction caused the NT intervention.
“In her latest comments it seems she is still denying there was a problem at all.
Labor bureaucracy fails Indigenous Australians
A new report shows Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin and her department have failed to lead and co-ordinate delivery of more than $25.4 billion of taxpayer funding meant to close the gap for Indigenous Australians, Shadow Minister Senator Nigel Scullion said today.
“The report said ‘a more active approach by the department is required to tangibly address some of the critical strategic issues in indigenous affairs.’
Indigenous programs mired in red tape
Efforts to close the gap between Indigenous and mainstream Australia is being severely hampered by Gillard Labor Government red tape, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs Senator Nigel Scullion said.
“In Senate Estimates today the Federal Government’s Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services Brian Gleeson said he knew of one provider that had 68 funding agreements.
