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NT government declines to attend inquiry into Indigenous funding scheme NT government declines to attend inquiry into Indigenous funding scheme
(7 months later)
The Northern Territory government has refused to appear before a federal inquiry into a controversial Indigenous funding scheme even though it received a reported 25% of the available money.The Northern Territory government has refused to appear before a federal inquiry into a controversial Indigenous funding scheme even though it received a reported 25% of the available money.
The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS), which sought to redistribute commonwealth funding through five policy streams, was roundly criticised for its execution. The federal government had reduced its funds by about half a billion dollars in the 2014 budget and the IAS was hugely oversubscribed by applicants.The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS), which sought to redistribute commonwealth funding through five policy streams, was roundly criticised for its execution. The federal government had reduced its funds by about half a billion dollars in the 2014 budget and the IAS was hugely oversubscribed by applicants.
A Senate inquiry since launched into the IAS has heard from a number of Indigenous service providers who described it as confusing and unprofessional, and providing far less funding than needed.A Senate inquiry since launched into the IAS has heard from a number of Indigenous service providers who described it as confusing and unprofessional, and providing far less funding than needed.
Related: Most groups funded under Indigenous advancement strategy non-Indigenous
In the initial weeks after the first round of grants last year, revelations that commercial sporting teams and government departments received funding – including the whole Northern Territory government – sparked outrage.In the initial weeks after the first round of grants last year, revelations that commercial sporting teams and government departments received funding – including the whole Northern Territory government – sparked outrage.
The Australian reported in September that 25% of the total pool went to organisations which formed part of the NT government. It also raised accusations that targeted Indigenous federal funds had been siphoned off to other departments.The Australian reported in September that 25% of the total pool went to organisations which formed part of the NT government. It also raised accusations that targeted Indigenous federal funds had been siphoned off to other departments.
The NT government has consistently refused to outline which departments or programs received grants and what the money was earmarked for.The NT government has consistently refused to outline which departments or programs received grants and what the money was earmarked for.
Labor senator Nova Peris invited the NT government to appear before the inquiry at a hearing in Darwin on Tuesday, but it refused.Labor senator Nova Peris invited the NT government to appear before the inquiry at a hearing in Darwin on Tuesday, but it refused.
“Given that NT government has received about 25% of IAS money, it’s essential that they report on how that money is being spent,” Peris told Guardian Australia.“Given that NT government has received about 25% of IAS money, it’s essential that they report on how that money is being spent,” Peris told Guardian Australia.
“On many occasions, chief minister Adam Giles has refused to answer questions about ensuring IAS money is being spent where it’s needed rather than on administration and bureaucracy.“On many occasions, chief minister Adam Giles has refused to answer questions about ensuring IAS money is being spent where it’s needed rather than on administration and bureaucracy.
“For the IAS to be a beneficial system of funding, it needs to be completely transparent. This can’t happen when there is zero accountability ... We need to know where every dollar lands.”“For the IAS to be a beneficial system of funding, it needs to be completely transparent. This can’t happen when there is zero accountability ... We need to know where every dollar lands.”
A spokesman for Giles told Guardian Australia the government did not appear because “it receives very little money directly through this program compared to what the IAS spends”.A spokesman for Giles told Guardian Australia the government did not appear because “it receives very little money directly through this program compared to what the IAS spends”.
He said a significant amount of money may flow to NT organisations but it did so directly and “these organisations are far better placed to provide the committee with insights”.He said a significant amount of money may flow to NT organisations but it did so directly and “these organisations are far better placed to provide the committee with insights”.
Related: Controversial Indigenous advancement strategy gets $100m funding boost
The spokesman did not respond to questions on how much funding the NT government received, or what it was spent on.The spokesman did not respond to questions on how much funding the NT government received, or what it was spent on.
Tuesday’s hearing heard from the heads of health and justice organisations in the Northern Territory who had applied for IAS funding.Tuesday’s hearing heard from the heads of health and justice organisations in the Northern Territory who had applied for IAS funding.
John Paterson, chief executive of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, criticised the scheme in four key areas: a lack of consultation and engagement with Indigenous people and organisations, before during and after the funding round; negative consequences for competitive tendering; a limited timeframe to provide submissions; a lack of assistance from staff in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.John Paterson, chief executive of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, criticised the scheme in four key areas: a lack of consultation and engagement with Indigenous people and organisations, before during and after the funding round; negative consequences for competitive tendering; a limited timeframe to provide submissions; a lack of assistance from staff in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Paterson said the IAS strategy was “fundamentally flawed” and called for a redesign.Paterson said the IAS strategy was “fundamentally flawed” and called for a redesign.
Priscilla Collins, chief executive of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (Naaja), said the whole process was confusing and “very unprofessional”.Priscilla Collins, chief executive of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (Naaja), said the whole process was confusing and “very unprofessional”.
She had been told separately by various government staffers that Naaja could apply for two, three and four years, and that she should be “creative” in filling out the application to get around the limited space available for applying on behalf of five programs.She had been told separately by various government staffers that Naaja could apply for two, three and four years, and that she should be “creative” in filling out the application to get around the limited space available for applying on behalf of five programs.
Greens senator Rachel Siewert said it was “disappointing” the NT government did not front the inquiry. She said those who did appear demonstrated there were clear ongoing concerns.Greens senator Rachel Siewert said it was “disappointing” the NT government did not front the inquiry. She said those who did appear demonstrated there were clear ongoing concerns.
“I’m particularly concerned to hear that Aboriginal legal services are only funded for some programs up until the end of June this year and as yet have no idea of funding beyond then,” Siewert told Guardian Australia.“I’m particularly concerned to hear that Aboriginal legal services are only funded for some programs up until the end of June this year and as yet have no idea of funding beyond then,” Siewert told Guardian Australia.
“These organisations provide vital services to Aboriginal communities. It is becoming increasingly clear that the federal funding strategy is contributing to the government’s sluggish action on Closing the Gap. Today’s evidence will help us paint a picture of how the government can do better moving forward.”“These organisations provide vital services to Aboriginal communities. It is becoming increasingly clear that the federal funding strategy is contributing to the government’s sluggish action on Closing the Gap. Today’s evidence will help us paint a picture of how the government can do better moving forward.”
The long-running Senate inquiry, which was extended last year, is due to report in March.The long-running Senate inquiry, which was extended last year, is due to report in March.