Connecting and Activating the Northern Territory

Connecting and activating the Northern Territory will be the key focus of a visit to the Top End this week by Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP.

Minister Wyatt will spend the week with events in Darwin, Alice Springs, Jabiru and Tennant Creek.

“An impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic has meant I haven’t been able to be on the ground with Indigenous Australians across the nation, as we emerge from this, there is unprecedented opportunity to unlock and activate the Northern Territory through strengthening existing partnerships and establishing new ones,” Minister Wyatt said.

Minister Wyatt will use a Keynote Speech on Tuesday Night in Darwin to explore these partnerships, and outline new ways of working that will help deliver better economic outcomes, new job opportunities, and importantly contribute towards Closing the Gap.

“We have tremendous opportunity before us, and the Morrison Government is committed to working in partnership and having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians at the table to take full advantage of what’s before us.”

“My visits to Jabiru and Tennant Creek will reinforce the work underway by the Morrison Government to unlock land opportunity, support tourism and deliver self-determination for Indigenous Australians in the NT. As I’ve previously stated, land security is economic security.”

Minister Wyatt will also meet with key stakeholders, including Chief Minister the Hon Michael Gunner MLA, to discuss the key partnership between the Commonwealth and NT Governments.

“The New National Agreement on Closing the Gap, signed by all Australian governments, heralds a new era of joint decision-making, joint responsibility and joint accountability. I look forward to hearing from the Chief Minister and his Ministers as to how the NT Government will work to Close the Gap in the NT,” Minister Wyatt said.

Minister Wyatt will also receive updates from both the Northern Land Council and Central Land Council on their plans, and visit projects established to support COVID-19 management and recovery.

“I’m also looking forward to re-committing our support to Indigenous arts and culture, following the Morrison Government’s Consultation Paper on Growing the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry. I’ll be meeting with local artists in Alice Springs to hear directly from them about their industry and how we can best support it to grow and prosper.”

Further details of the Ministers engagements will follow.