Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, , 2:45:04 to 3:33:47
The NIAA discusses the value of the Garma Festival and the agency's response to community safety incidents and truth-telling initiatives.
Topics: First Nations, Travel and event costs, Public safety
Speakers: Speaker 22, Kerrynne Liddle, Larissa Waters, Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Speaker 30, Interjection, Karen Grogan, Speaker 24, Speaker 26, Speaker 27, Speaker 28, Speaker 29
Um, I would now like to welcome Senator the Honorable Melanie McCarthy, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, uh, Miss Julian Guera, uh, the Chief Executive Officer, and other officers of the Indigenous Australians Agency. Um, Minister, would you like to make an
opening statement? Just I would like to firstly just acknowledge that we come together on the lands of the Nano and Yamry and just uh commend the parliament uh in terms of uh the condemnation of the alleged uh bombing in Perth. It was important when I met with the Nunga elders and organizers uh in Perth that uh our parliament together had had expressed that and it really meant a lot. So I just wanted to uh share that. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh Miss Gravara, would you care to make an opening statement?
>> Yes. Thank you, chair. Um [clears throat] in addition to uh the minister's uh statement, um I'd like to begin by acknowledging the Nanowal people as the traditional custodians of the lands on which we meet today and pay my respects also to the Nambry people and other families with connection to these lands. I extend uh my respect to traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and to First Nations senators and witnesses appearing here today. I'd also like to acknowledge that this Friday marks the 18th anniversary of the national apology. It's a time to reflect and listen to many stolen generation survivors that have traveled to CRA and we'll be meeting with a range of them this week for the anniversary and a range of other events. I'm proud that the agency is working with supporting stolen generation survivors particularly through the stolen generations redress scheme which is helping survivors and their families in healing uh the trauma arising from removal from families and communities across the territories. The scheme has now received 2500 applications and has made payments to more than 1,600 eligible applicants. In December, I outlined some of the agency's major initiatives. In 2026, the NIAA remains focused on delivering the government's commitments by working in genuine partnership with First Nations communities, stakeholders, and all governments to ensure meaningful progress on the national agreement to closing the gap and to improving the lives of First Nations people. Advancing uh First Nations economic empowerment will remain central to our work. Uh the third uh remote jobs and economic development uh grant grant round will open in early 2026, building on the already 1,700 jobs created. Uh all first round projects under the expanded indigenous ranges pro program are now operational, supporting 1,000 jobs. Round two will add over 900 more jobs, keeping us on track for the 3,800 jobs by 2030 and significantly increasing the number of women ranges. The lowcost essential subsidy scheme is providing real cost of living relief for many remote communities in the north of Australia with 113 stores now participating and 30 essential lowcost items being accessible. An independent review of the scheme is also now underway to ensure that it continues delivering results. Uh what meanwhile the uh Arnumland uh Anamland Progress Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with NIAA has commenced delivery of the first nations uh nutrition workforce with 21 positions being filled by July 2026. through the efficiencies and resilience grant. We're uplifting infrastructure and building supply chain resilience. At the uh Bayoo supermarket in WA, for example, uh power disruptions have often threatened food storage and supply routes when they're cut off. Through an off-grid solar system, it's transformed wet season reliability, reduced costs, and helped make food more available. Uh actions continue to establish safe, secure housing where needed most. Um and since the commencement of the $4 billion Northern Territory remote housing package in July 2024, more than 300 homes have now been delivered across uh remote communities and town camps. I think the 300 mark was actually just in the last month or so in Peppermadi. Um and so improving the living conditions while strengthening tenency arrangements and safety and long-term asset ma maintenance in under the central Australia plan. We're also delivering impactful outcomes. The expansion of the umpra visitor park has created an additional 20 short-term beds for women, young people, and children affected by family violence. Over summer, the government partnered with 11 organizations across Alice Springs and surrounding communities to deliver free, safe, and engaging activities from splash parks to movie screenings with over 1500 15,400 attendees at these events. Uh the National Indigenous Australians Agency will continue to lead efforts across the Commonwealth and work with state and territory governments on closing the gap and to drive meaningful progress on priority reforms. The Commonwealth's closing the gap annual report and implementation plan will be tabled soon by the government and the NIAA will deliver on its commitments uh it is responsible for under the Commonwealth implementation plan. I thank you and I welcome questions.
>> Thank you. We'll start with Senator Little.
>> Thank you and good morning everyone. Um I'd like to also associate with the remarks of Minister McCarthy um and the response from across the parliament um and some statements that were made when we made them. Um I want to address some of the um things that uh you raised Miss Gavara but I'll do that throughout um the uh question line of questioning. I want to start with questions about um GMA and specifically around um your response to a quan that I asked in previous estimates which um indicated that 312,000 was spent in GMA in 2025. is 76 Commonwealth paid places um for Can you tell me what is the outcome that is um aligned with the participation of public servants in that activity?
>> Uh thank you Senator. Um GMA I'll turn to my colleague uh who Miss Miss Ballinger who runs our our central group um shortly but GMA obviously provides an opportunity to leverage the NIAA's leadership uh role across the APS in ensuring that senior Commonwealth officials uh uh engage with First Nations communities on issues that affect them. Uh we know GMA uh generally has uh you know very important themes to particularly communities uh in that area uh you know addressed through uh the the conversations and the dialogues that take place um as part of as as part of GMA. It is about uh having an opportunity and a forum which celebrates uh the the talents and culture of the young pe people as well. um uh those uh public officials that do go uh up to GMA each year, it is an opportunity for them to really think about their contributions to uh transformation of government, which is a key issue uh under priority reform three. But I'll turn to uh my colleague Miss Bellenger just to provide some more detail around um the quite significant thinking that goes into how the program is developed for those senior officials. um and what they generally engage in.
>> Uh thank you Bridget Bellinger, group manager central group. Um so thank you for your question. I think Yama and what makes GAMA a little different to other festivals uh is that it is an important opportunity. It's a nationally significant forum for policy dialogue. Um so as you know it brings different community and ainal leaders from across the Northern Territory but more broadly uh across Australia. And what we try to do that is match that with when we have the theme for GMA with the public servants that that we actually focus and invite to the forum. Um some of the outcomes that we have seen around uh GMA is the SCES band 100. Uh so that was a discussion. We have what we call fireside chats where we we bring the delegation together and we get uh different local ainal traditional owners and people in the room around the fire uh in the camp uh and other um uh community leaders depending again on the theme. Um so the SCES ban one when it started there was only 44 uh aiginal SCES officers at the time. Uh and since those uh discussions we're now at 111. Um so that's one outcome. Uh my
>> are you saying that's as a consequence from participation in GMA?
>> Yes I am.
>> You've had that increase.
>> Yeah that's yes.
>> How can you say that? What's the connection?
>> Uh because that that was the discussion and deep reflection we did uh at the fireside chat.
>> Yeah. So so senator if I can add to that. So uh there was the discussion at the fireside chat. As a result of that um not long afterwards those senior officials returned to Canberra and commenced work on a budget proposal. um which would support uh the relevant agencies. So it was the um APSC, the Australian Public Service Commission, ourselves um in working up a a specific proposal on how we would look to increase the numbers of uh senior executive service that were First Nations. As Miss Bellenger said, we had 44. We we've now gone over through the through that proposal which was approved by government, we've now gone over 100
about people going to GMA. It's the number. We're talking nearly 80 Commonwealth funded positions that went to Garm at a cost of over $300,000. That is not the only number of Commonwealth public servants that went to GMA because you can't necessarily tell us the amount that we're in statutory authorities, let alone the amount in not for profofits that are 100% funded by the Commonwealth. So I'm trying to understand what is the value return for over three well it is well over 300 if you take those unknowns into and the time frame that they're actually spending out there.
>> So Senator as as I said previously um the government has made a commitment under priority reform three under the national agreement on closing the gap to transforming government organizations. What we have found is that exposure for those senior public servants to their through their engagements with First Nations communities is helping them when they return to Canberra to think about what it is that they can contribute specifically for the closing the gap agenda. Miss Ballinger has has said a specific one. I do recall last year I I didn't attend last year but our our um previous CEO uh actually engaged in a com in a conversation in a dialogue at the at the GMA event which covered economic empowerment issues as you'll recall um in the prime minister I think when he was at GMA last year also announced the funding for um an increase in funding for prescribed bodies corporates those are the types of issues that we um would would engage in so it's a mixture of both supporting um cultural empowerment of the local communities but also um looking at how we would uh improve that priority reform efforts um of senior public servants.
>> So there are also a number of people that actually went there um on corporate tickets at $6,000 ahead. That means that they can get into the dinner that is held there with corporate company chiefs who seem to also attend that. That's a networking event. Can you tell me what the value is of that to public servants?
>> Again, it's an opportunity for them to be engaging with the First Nations community leaders who are also at that dinner. Um, as well as the corporates as well. I think the the structure and nature of um the event that the festival that Yi Yindi does foundation does organize is that idea of trying to ensure that everyone is thinking about how they best make a contribution to sort of first nations policy issues which is why they do bring government well they they are very keen to have um government participation as as much as they are corporate participation
>> and we know that in 2023 24 um the government gave 777,000 to the Baranga Festival specifically, sorry, the GMA festival specifically. I'm interested, Paul Baranga, um I'm interested to from that that you've just told me how much additional money in addition to buying tickets was provided to GMA and I want to know in kind from taxpayers and I also want to understand any other form of taxpayer funded money that went to Garmin in addition to the purchase of those tickets.
I might ask Miss Ballinger just for the details of the breakdowns of information.
>> So I think
>> in 2025
>> in 2025 yes so I think that detail was provided in the quan.
>> No it wasn't.
>> Okay. All right. I will take the
question asking or you provided me was in response to very specific questions about tickets. I want to know how much additional money inind what's the value of that in kind support or additional money by way of sponsorship by way of additional funds and grants that were provided to GMA in 2025 that is not in the quant.
>> Okay. Um Senator Little, I will take that on notice just to make sure I've got it absolutely accurate. Um I'm not aware of any inind contributions. Uh there is the GMA festival funding and then there is the tickets that we purchase and that that is the only funding that I'm aware of.
>> Okay. I'm pretty sure if you can confirm that please.
>> I will do that.
>> Okay. So you mentioned u Miss Gavara about other festivals. The Baranga festival. Um can you tell me how many public servants did you send to Banga and what was the cost of that?
>> Um I might ask Miss Binger to to provide those details. Um we we do have um an NIA presence um at a at a number of uh festivals um particularly in the Northern Territory but across Australia. Um we do think it's important role of NIAA to be engaging directly with community in events of significance and Baranga being one of those but Bridget.
>> Yeah thank you. So yes we had a stall at the Banga festival. I believe the number of staff was eight. Um but I'll take that on notice and come back to you. I'll probably even be able to do that within this session.
Right. Given the prime minister often or has used the [clears throat] um GMA festival to make major policy announcements of the government, I'm interested to understand when was the last time he went to another festival, a different festival and made a major policy announcement given that you've said eight went to
So, Senator, I'm I'm not aware of um uh other events that the prime minister may have attended. It's probably a question best posed to prime minister and cabinet.
>> Okay. Thank you. I will do that. Um I'd like to ask a question about uh better safer future for Central Australia plan,
we might actually take the opportunity to rotate. We're at the sort of 10-minute point if that's okay if you're going on to another topic.
>> Senator Waters, Minister, >> can I start off with some questions for uh firstly about the attack in Borlu? Um, I'm interested in either whether minister yourself [clears throat] or NIAA in response to the attack made any representations to the prime minister or to the AFP or the attorney general about investigating the attack uh using those terrorism powers before they then decided to investigate it as that in that gap where it took what four or five days did either self
senator, could you just speak up? I'm just having trouble hearing you
assistance there. Thank you.
>> Yeah. >> Sorry. Just
>> Yeah. Thanks, Minister. So in the wake of the attack on First Nations people and allies um in Borlu on the invasion day uh rally, did either yourself minister or NIAA make any representations to uh to the AFP or to the prime minister in relation to using the uh powers to investigate for potential terrorism um offenses?
The attack occurred, alleged attack occurred on the 26th and I understand the evening of the uh 27th was when the was it the 28th?
>> No, I think it was the 29th remembering there was it about a 3.
>> There was a press release that the um AIO AFP and police commissioner had put out. Um I think that was on the
Thursday.
>> That was on the Wednesday night, Wednesday evening. And uh that was the first I was aware that uh they had actually uh said that they were investigating in it as a potential terrorist act.
>> Yes, thank you. My my question perhaps will be clearer. Between the attack and when that statement was issued saying that they would now consider whether it was a potential terrorist attack, did you or NIAA make any representations to relevant agencies that they should do
>> Uh no, Senator, our focus um in the wake of the attack has been on uh engagement with uh First Nations commu communities in in Bulu, Perth. Um uh as you know the minister obviously uh went across to Perth uh last week uh and engaged with the premier uh there um our office and I'll turn to um our DCO of operations and delivery Mr. Brahman in a minute but uh our uh office in Perth has been in contact with a range of community organizations to determine what supports um they might need. Uh I have um subsequently uh also made a call of put in a call for an appointment with um the AFP commissioner but the date for that um meeting has not yet been set.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um can I ask whether uh either minister yourself or again NIAA have made any representations to the attorney about extending the terms of reference for the royal commission to include racism against first nations
So um Senator Minister um sorry so on the royal commission I mean yes obviously the letters p patents have been set for the royal commission. Um it does of course within the scope of it include social cohesion issues. uh we have been invited as is a number of other public service agencies to attend uh regular IDC process on the royal commission.
>> Okay. So you haven't advocated for an explicit term of reference change to address racism against first nations
people. So obviously, I mean, this is a question that's probably best put to the attorney general's department, but um that would be a a an issue for the commissioner of the of the Royal Commission to determine um you know what she would consider in within her scope.
>> Okay, I understand that. Can I just
clarify that though, Senator? Uh the the concerns around racism and and hatred has certainly been expressed by my by myself in terms of media interviews but also in conversations uh you know with within the parliament. Uh so that's very clear. I am very concerned about uh the increase uh in uh online uh hatred and racism in particular towards uh ainal tourist rate islander people and of course I'm also looking very closely at what possibilities there are with the Royal Commission.
>> Yeah, thank you. I'm not disminging your your motives, just asking whether that representation for clarity in the terms of reference has been made by either of That's a that's
>> NIAA is participating in the IDC process which has been established by the attorney general's department and uh I think the first meeting of that has I'll confirm it but I think the first meeting has uh taken place. I'm also aware of uh the attorney general's department engaging directly uh with uh a a range of uh first nations uh community representatives um which they did discuss that that with us.
>> Okay. Thank you. And minister, sorry, just for clarity, your answer to that question was
yes or no. uh in terms of seeking advice,
>> have you asked the attorney to specifically reference racism against First Nations people in the Royal Commission terms?
>> I've certainly raised that issue over a period of time since the Royal Commission uh was established, Senator Waters. It wasn't specifically in relation uh to the alleged uh bombing in in Bulu, Perth.
>> Okay. And was the attorney obviously the terms of reference haven't been changed. Um is it your perspective that they are in fact already broad enough to countenance those issues? Well, I
certainly understand that in terms of the terms of reference, there is uh um an avenue there and I did mention this in the press conference on Thursday when I was asked about it that uh there will I will be encouraging people to put in their submissions uh in particular ainal tourist island people submissions to the Royal Commission about their concerns in regards to racism and hatred.
Um, has NIA has NIAA proposed any additional anti-racism training for the AFP in the wake of the Borlu attack and response?
>> Uh, so uh, Senator, we uh, we support a range of training on um, exposure to First Nations uh, issues uh, in general across the Australian public service. So, we do have a program um called Footprints, which I might get our our uh chief operating officer to come up and just describe a little bit what Footprints does. It is available to, as I said, a range of different agencies across the public service. As I said, I still have an outstanding call in with the AFP commissioner and it would be to to to see what else um we can do um to to work collaboratively on issues of importance to First Nations people. But I might just give some time to
>> before we do. I'm sorry to thank you for coming to the table. But so is it your intention in that phone call upcoming with the AFP that you will ask for additional anti-racism training for the AFP?
>> So uh Senator, I will I will broach a range of different issues I think with the AFP commissioner. It's not a call. As I said, I put in a call for a meeting. So, I'm actually hoping it's a face-to-face meeting where we can talk about a range of different issues related to how do we best support the [clears throat] AFP in its work in engaging with Aboriginal uh communities because we haven't had a chance to to hear from um our DC over of operations and delivery. But there are a range of issues that community have raised post um uh Borlu. One of them of course is uh the attempted uh bombing in Bolu. One of them is actually safety of future events. And obviously that is a jurisdictional issue where the WA police will also need to be engaged. But just thinking about um in the future, how will some of our security agencies engage with First Nations communities? I'd have to say it's not been uh one of those areas where you know we've had to really think about these until this this um incident. So I really want to explore what we can do together to work collaboratively on a on a range of different issues. But if we can, we'll just talk to the issue around training on anti-racism and awareness and of first nations communities.
>> That's what I was going to say. If you could be very brief because I actually do have other questions.
>> Senator Rachel Jackson, chief operating officer. We through a number of uh collaborations across the public service and public sector agencies. So including AFP um through our partnership with the APS-C and also promoting through the indigenous champions network we promote a program called footprints that was developed in the agency um some years ago but is now available across the service through the APS Academyy's website. Uh this is a cross-cultural learning program which encourages staff to engage in cultural learning not just first nations cultural learning uh but cross-culturally and we've [clears throat] had um I can get stats to you on notice number of participation uh it's been quite significant across the service and it's growing as we promote it further particularly through the champions network.
>> Thanks I'll keep an eye out for those. Thanks chair. I do have some more questions if you can come back to me.
this uh question is in relation to Central Australia and relates to compliance with reporting obligations for those who've received parts of the 342 million. Um, I understand that 87% of the 2425 activities are unacquitted months after the deadline. Can you tell me what you're doing to get some compliance here given that number?
Uh thank you Senator Bridget Balinger Group Manager Central. Um can I just ask where that number has come from?
>> That number has come from I think your annual performance report. >> Oh actually no it's a Quan NIAA double uh triple01. I have a copy over there if you like.
>> Yeah. Okay. I I think there's definitely been a lot further movement uh uh in that regard, but I'd have to take that on notice and come back to you, Senator.
Um yes, if you can give me the new number, that would be terrific.
>> I will do that.
>> Um and can you also provide me those ones that have been non-compliant with reporting obligations? This has not happened in the last year. This these grants have been going out over several years. Can you actually give me a list of those organizations, please?
>> Absolutely.
>> And has the has NIAA issued any breach notice to to those providers who've
Um, not to my knowledge, Senator, but I'll have to come back to you.
>> That deadline was the 30th of September.
>> I'm sorry, Senator, I don't have that information here. I will come back to
>> Um, Senator, I might just add though, I mean, as you would be aware from previous testimony we've given. Um, not all of the funding for the Central Australian Plan actually goes through the National Indigenous Australians Agency. And I think we did provide uh in the quan an outline of the other uh government agencies who are receiving funding. So in terms of those just around those acquitt certainly have further information which we can provide to you on notice around our own >> uh grants that we administer and the acquids but um we'd probably need to uh look to uh advice from those other agencies about
>> if it takes you longer to get that information. I'm interested in that information. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, and I'm particularly interested in understanding when you provide that list of organizations whether the uh amount of funds that have actually been unallocated, but you've defined who you're going to give it to, whether in fact there is any intention to give any of that money to organizations that have failed to meet their reporting obligations already. >> Okay, that I'm interested in understanding. and I'm interested to understand too about what specific health, social, and economic metrics are being used to justify the continued roll out of programs um that haven't cleared the aqu quiddle stage. So for those ones and there was a significant number that was in your pond um 87% I'm interested to know how they've actually responded to those metrics and whether those metrics had changed based on the reporting that they was they provided or haven't provided.
>> So sorry Senator just so I'm really clear on that. So what you're saying for the ones that haven't been acquitted, you'd like a better understanding of their reporting obligations and if um if we've changed any of their KPIs >> through that process.
>> What I'm really trying to get at here is that organizations that have failed to report under the obligations of those agreements. Yes. >> Do not and and those reporting obligations relate to health, well-being outcomes, social outcomes. >> Yes. I want to understand what the intention of NIAA is to give any further money to those organizations given okay they haven't been able to demonstrate because they haven't provided their acquid compliance or outcomes associated with those metrics.
>> Yeah, my understanding was from the provision of the quan to now that a lot more have actually become compliant but we as uh Julianne had said we will need to work across a number of different agencies and we will absolutely do that provide the information that you've
>> Senator. Sean Worth, Group, Management, Integrity Group. Uh, I can step you through our our approach to managing uh performance and and failure to report uh to report performance and so on through
>> not in this forum though. Thank you. I really appreciate Mr. Worth and perhaps you could just send an email to my email address and I can follow that. I'm assuming it's been it's codified in some sort of
escalation process as you can appreciate. Um and we do work work closely with providers when they do fail to report on time to to understand the basis of of why that's happening and to work with them to ensure that reporting does occur on time into the future.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um I do refer now to the audit report. Um, and I'm interested in somebody who's able to talk to me about um the accountability in terms of your what you've mentioned in your audit report. This is the one that was um just recently released. Another one I'm talking about.
>> Um, sorry, Senator, could you uh which audit report are you currently referring to? Uh, yes, I can.
So that report references um NIAA achieving just 52% of milestones on time. Um but NIAA actually labeled coordination as substantially achieved. How does 52% success constitute substantive
Um I'm happy to take this. Uh thank you. >> Thanks for the question, Senator. Um Simon Gordon, uh group manager of strategy group and uh good afternoon to you and all the other senators and the uh secretariat as well. Um so I think what you're referring to here in our um annual report is performance measure three which relates to closing the gap. >> It has three different components. Um uh target one uh was reported as achieved. Um as the Commonwealth closing the gap annual report and implementation plan was agreed and delivered um within the time frames and manner required by government. Um, target two was substantially achieved. Uh, and that related to a minimum of 88% of agenda items across the various closing the gap governance meetings being consistent with relevant terms uh of reference and agreed work plans. And target three, which I think is the one that you've just referenced, uh, was reported as not achieved. >> Um, with 52% of Commonwealth government priority reform actions uh, due to be completed in that reporting period being delivered on time. Um those three elements you know when you go not achieved uh substantially achieved and achieved by the metrics that will put port forward for the uh annual report um result in that overall uh finding on closing the gap and I can just add to um I think we did touch on the target three at the last uh estimates period um uh while 52% of those actions were completed at the time of reporting. I'm happy to say that that's now up to 76% of actions have been completed.
>> Okay.
>> Can I just add to that? I mean, so last year was the first time that our annual performance statements were actually audited by the ANAO and I think I mentioned at the last estimates we have been doing quite a substantial amount of work on uh ensuring that our performance measures are improved. So we have we're sort of on a maturity kind of journey on uh how we measure um our outcomes as an agency and so there have been changes even since the completion of the 24 20 uh 2425 financial year and the current financial year in how we are uh measuring performance across across the agency.
>> Yeah. So I'm also interested in understanding given that in this report 20 out of 42 actions were missed. Um as a CEO have you met with the secretaries of lagging departments to ensure that that is actually rectified and what potential do you actually have to other than just meeting with them actually get some compelling or enforcement of getting getting better results?
>> Um thanks Senator. I know the the question was directed at the CEO but I can just talk to some of the stuff we do do in that regard. Um we have a quarterly report against all of the commitments which are made in the um annual report and implementation plan which is circulated to senior officials within agencies um are referred to regularly in regular meetings we have at senior um SCES level and is also taken to the secretary's board um so the secretary is aware of how they're tracking against those commitments. Um uh so that's quite an intensive kind of process that we go through. Um we also provide that to our CEO um and that uh helps inform her meetings that she does have with other secretaries as well where we do kind of try to bring that um sense of um transparency and accountability to the commitments that
>> U just like to move to a couple questions about remote housing verification and infrastructure. Thank Um, NAA's proxy measure for partnerships empowered communities has only achieved 20% of its target for local partnerships agreements. As the lead agency, what penalties or efficiency dividends are applied to other departments when they don't meet those milestones under closing the gap?
>> Sorry. So on the partnership measure under the our uh our annual report there actually um several components of that um one is uh like empowered communities um and our our relationship with them. it was the case um that we did not uh we didn't achieve that target primarily because we uh need to negotiate those outcomes uh with empowered community backbone partners. So um it's a target we've set for ourselves but in fact we can't achieve it without the cooperation of our our um the organization that we work with. So is there anything else? Uh
uh good afternoon senators. Deborah Fulton, acting deputy CEO for policy and program. So since um we last appeared and at that point we had only had I think two of the agreements signed. So there are now seven signed, two finalized just awaiting that and one still in progress. So there has been um significant progress but it is as the CEO mentioned it's a partnership approach to finalizing them.
>> Okay. Um I just find it a bit unusual that these organizations that we've actually asked to coordinate uh seek opinion from device strategies are just so bad at meeting their obligations in terms of negotiating new agreements. I mean it's not just for the NIAA to do that. That's a responsibility of theirs as the receiver of taxpayer funding. So that's why I'm continuing to go to that question of accountability of those organizations that receive funds. So you've actually from what you've just told me there's one still in progress. So there's only one outstanding.
>> That That's correct. So I think we do have two that haven't yet been signed but they're finalized and there's one still in progress.
>> topic we might rotate the call.
again. Just to pick up where we left off um following the attack um at the Bolo invasion day rally. Have any additional measures been implemented to address the widespread concern in First Nations communities about growing hostility and the future future possible attacks?
>> Um thank you Senator Waters. Uh I spent time uh with Nunga leaders and also rally organizers uh last Thursday uh in a meeting with the premier Cook and also the WA chief uh of police um commissioner uh Blanch. So, one of the things that came through out of the conversation was certainly the need for ongoing uh social and emotional support and well-being in terms of uh the trauma that's been experienced and continues but also mindful that it will also continue given we are progressing into a court case at some point in time. So I sought guidance from uh leaders there and organizers and rally organizers as well as to what those next steps uh will look like. At the same time, I met with the uh National Indigenous Australians Agency staff to also express the need to uh see how they were going in the meetings. they have been uh doing some work and I'll hand over to to Kevin in a moment, but I know there's been work going on since the 26th of Jan, but I want to make sure that it doesn't stop that this support continues uh and continues in a way that uh the Nonga mob asked for it
>> Thank you. Kevin Bra, deputy CEO of operations and delivery. Um, just for the record as well, I'm based in Perth, so I was in Perth during the incident. Um, and uh, deeply affected the local community, but obviously had repercussions across the nation. Um, we have 17 First Nation staff also working in our Perth office. So, um, the minister did meet mention she did meet with those staff um to ensure they're supported. We had five people actually working in our office that day as well. So immediate attention to make sure their safety um was front front and center and we had staff members attend the rally as well as family and friends. Um and once we consolidated our internal response to make sure our staff were supported, we then looked externally including ringing out providers. A lot of our providers, they were basically First Nations providers themselves as well as surfacing First Nations communities to get a sense of the feelings that the community was feeling. And that was in advance of the meeting that we heard last Thursday with the WA premier and representatives community. Um the minister has mentioned some of the thematics around safety, healing etc. Um there was an agreement that um that group would continue um and supported uh we will be the minister will be writing uh to the um premier and seeking that we can the comworth participate in that membership going forward. That group um has also committed to develop um an initial action plan which I'm sure they'll want to go out.
>> Could you speak up a little on what action plan?
>> That group has committed to the to give up suggestions and action plan or further action going forward noting that the minister mentioned there will be series events coming up. So the case is one of them but also other festivals as well that are planned whether it's Nadok events etc. >> So we'll work with the state government um and the community about better coordination around those events. Um and um we we will also um we are also contacting individual organizations about their immediate needs. So they did express some issues around how their staff are feeling around their security. So if they're very small organizations, how can we support increasing security which actually will make sure that they can continue to provide a service as well because obviously service delivery is impacted if they feel don't feel secure. Um we're also working with the state government and um the community around healing events and what that may look like into the future and we're here to support those healing events. One of the key other elements was making sure that the voice of the youth is actually listened to because obviously there were senior uh Nunga elders at that meeting. Um so we have engaged with the education sector um including there was an event last Thursday um at Kings Park for boarding a original boarding um students that have come down to Perth. We're very mindful that they don't have the many of them don't have family and friends actually to support them. So I've spoken myself personally to um the service providers that provide that support and to see what else we can do and um Senator Binda Cox also attended that event last Thursday evening. Um and so once we get the details of the further meetings uh that the no community elders are having with the jurisdiction we will also lean in and support.
>> Thanks very much. Um can I move now to uh a different topic at previous estimates um you advised me that NIAA's only current investment in truthtelling and treaty work was one part-time officer keeping an eye on progress being made at the state level. Is that still >> Right. Um, some First Nations orgs have told us that consultation on the New South Wales truthtelling and treaty process has been patchy and lacking in detail. Is NIAA doing anything to support the New South Wales uh process and to ensure that First Nations communities can participate in that
conversations that we would have uh more broadly on how uh states uh going with their various processes that they undertake themselves, we'd be sort of seeking updates from from all of them. I know um when the minister has the opportunity to have her indigenous affairs ministerial meetings, there's generally uh an opportunity to hear from from those states and territories about yeah how they're progressing work including on things subjects like
>> Okay. So the question was, what are you doing to support First Nations communities to participate in that consultation if if anything?
>> Well, I believe it would be for the New South Wales government to kind of support um uh people to participate in the development of of their truthtelling initiatives.
>> Okay. So is there a role for NIAA in
Uh certainly Senator there is a role in us uh as I said previously uh coordinating with other governments to hear what they are doing to support truthtelling uh in their own jurisdictions but it is for jurisdictions uh you know it's one of the principles that we all agree to under the closing the gap agreement that we will um have partnership and engagement with our with with our own communities. So I think it's really for the new that question is really for New South Wales government and how they are supporting participation of communities in their processes okay for their truthtelling initiatives
>> and that coordination is being done by that part-time single person. So that
person oversees uh the process but it's not that's not the single uh point of information gathering that we have. As I said the minister uh has her indigenous affairs ministerial meetings. Uh there would be conversations in other senior officials context as well. I know I have had uh conversations with Victorian government officials at senior levels about what they continue to do on truthtelling. So there's a range of different uh ways in which we collect that information. But yes, that one individual uh in in uh in Kate's group would be responsible for collating that for meetings.
>> Okay. Has the NAA made any recommendations to federal government including any budget subs to refund work on a macarata commission? >> Okay. Uh the walk for truth led by former Europe commissioner Travis Love will conclude in CRA in May. The walk is part of a campaign calling on the government to commit to fund and legislate a national process of truthtelling in partnership with First Nations people. Um has uh either minister or NIAA met with Mr. Love? Are you supporting that walk in any way?
>> I I haven't uh met with um Mr. Love in terms of his uh plans to to do the walk. I would like to. So I'm hoping uh that will happen at some point. Uh there's uh I've certainly had conversations with him prior to that in regards to the treaty in Victoria
>> and NAAB.
>> Sir, I've I've sought a meeting with with um Professor Love.
>> Okay. And what are you doing to um position the government to be able to respond to that campaign by May when that walk concludes?
Uh so I haven't had the chance to actually speak to uh to to Travis at this point in time. So obviously I'd really appreciate the opportunity to hear from him uh about you know the the walk its significance the information that uh he is suggesting you know might require Commonwealth involvement but I haven't had an opportunity to do that yet.
>> Okay. Um I've got some questions on closing the gap. How how long have I got a chair? Can I start on those for
>> take the call again? We are trying to wrap up by one to go to lunch and go on to the next element of the program, but we'll see how we go. Uh Senator Whitiger has a couple of questions. Um