By Tom Zaunmayr
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shifted his government’s Indigenous affairs focus. Picture: Michael O’Brien
Economic empowerment will be the new focus of the federal government’s Indigenous affairs efforts as it moves on from last year’s failed voice to parliament referendum.
Speaking at the annual Garma Festival in the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Land, Prime Minister Albanese wanted to “reward and incentivise” wealth creation under a plan to put Indigenous people at the forefront of new industries.
Under the plan the federal government will partner with the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance to connect Indigenous communities with companies and investors and will develop the nation’s first comprehensive economic policy for Indigenous people.
That announcement was welcomed by the National Native Title Council, which said free, prior and informed consent had to be the cornerstone of development and investment.
NNTC chief executive Jamie Lowe said industry had already shown strong support in improving relationships with Traditional Owners through an investor guide launched this year, which BHP was a foundation signatory to.
“We all know there is immense opportunity on the horizon for First Nations communities, particularly as part of the clean energy transition,” he said.
“But we want to learn from the First Nations experience with development to date to ensure we share in the economic benefits that will flow. In addition to the economic benefits, we also want to see protection of our rights and interests along the way.
“That’s why the historic partnership agreement with the Albanese government is so important, because it commits to reforms that are consistent with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
Other measures revealed at Garma include forming an economic partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and boosting investment into Indigenous Business Australia.
Mr Albanese said economic security would decouple progress on Indigenous empowerment from the whims of politics.
“Right now, changes in the global economy are opening up these possibilities,” he said.
“Growing global demand for renewable energy, critical minerals and rare earths represents an unprecedented opportunity for our nation and for Northern Australia.
“This is the biggest change in the global economy since the industrial revolution.”
Mr Albanese said clean energy, defence, and downstream processing could unlock generational wealth for remote communities.
He said it was important to get policy in place from the outset to avoid the “exploitation and injustices” of the past.
“We want you to have ownership of your future – built on a foundation of economic empowerment,” Mr Albanese said.
“This is about good jobs that change lives and strengthen communities – that provide a sense of pride and purpose, hope and aspiration.
“These are creators of inter-generational opportunity, and our government wants to put the building blocks in place so that the success of a local industry lifts up the whole community.”
Mr Albanese said the federal government would commit to building infrastructure, housing, education, and health services.