PrintGovernment’s Indigenous programs in disarray
The Labor Government’s Indigenous programs appear to be in disarray with no clue on programs or how much taxpayers’ money is being spent, The Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs Senator Nigel Scullion said today.
In Senate Estimates today, Senator Scullion was irate when a promised list of the government’s Indigenous programs and associated funding could not be provided.
“The senate committee has been provided with this information in the past however this year, despite being assured only a week ago that the information was forthcoming, was today informed that it was too hard to deliver.
“It is outrageous to be promised a list of programs and associated costs by today and now told it can’t be done,” Senator Scullion said.
“The Labor Government’s lack of leadership and focus on Indigenous issues has seen many programs and services drift aimlessly to such an extent that not even the government appears to know what programs they now have or how much taxpayer money is being spent.
“Hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent and book shelves are full of government produced reports and glossy brochures containing government promises of what they want to do to address Indigenous disadvantage.
“Yet when asked to detail where and how much money is being spent, the government appears incapable of providing this most basic of information.
“It appears the government’s Indigenous programs are now in such a shambolic state that they have no clue on what programs are running or how much they cost,” Senator Scullion said.
