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Nationals Leader Matthew Canavan Criticizes Government's Indigenous Policy Approach Following Child's Death

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Nationalist Leader Calls for Renewed Indigenous Policy Engagement After Child's Death

Matthew Canavan has urged the Australian government to re-engage with Indigenous policy, warning that further tragedies will occur without action. The Nationals leader made the remarks following the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby, who went missing from a town camp in Alice Springs.

"The government has avoided Indigenous policy since the 2023 referendum defeat," Canavan said, calling for practical steps to improve lives.

Canavan, who opposed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, criticised the Albanese government's perceived retreat from Indigenous affairs after the referendum's failure.

Government Response and Opposition Demands

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that conditions in town camps are "not acceptable" but stopped short of supporting calls for a major inquiry.

The Coalition has revived its demand for a royal commission into sexual abuse in Indigenous communities. Canavan said such an inquiry could examine both incidents and public funding allocations.

This proposal is opposed by major Indigenous community groups, including SNAICC, which described it as a "politicization of children."

Closing the Gap: Mixed Progress

The government has committed funding for:

  • Remote housing
  • A remote jobs program
  • Food subsidies
  • Violence prevention

However, closing the gap in disadvantage remains a significant challenge. The latest Closing the Gap report found that only four of 17 measures had improved and were on track.

"Additional funding is insufficient without structural changes," Canavan argued.

He praised former prime minister Tony Abbott's approach of spending time directly in communities, suggesting it led to better policy understanding.

A Divided Path Forward

The debate highlights a deepening divide between those calling for major systemic inquiries and those advocating for continued targeted investment. With Indigenous disadvantage persisting and the political landscape shifting after the referendum, the path forward remains uncertain.