The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs has published a report on its inquiry into community safety, support services and job opportunities in the Northern Territory.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 1 March 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs has today published a report on its inquiry into community safety, support services and job opportunities in the Northern Territory. The report makes several recommendations to the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments in the wake of the sunsetting of the Stronger Futures Act last year. Committee Chair Senator Patrick Dodson said, ‘the committee believed investment in support services and programs is essential to improving socio‑economic outcomes, especially for people living in town camps, remote communities and homelands’. The committee called for locally-led, place-based initiatives to support community development. ‘Governments need to listen and acting on what communities say will work best for them’, Senator Dodson said. For more information about this committee and its report, visit the inquiry webpage. Media inquiries Office of Senator Patrick Dodson: Murray Mclaughlin, 0429 153 363

The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs held hearings over three days last week in Darwin and Alice Springs. These hearings were part of the Committee’s inquiry into the community safety, support services and job opportunities in the Northern Territory.

Media release issue date: Monday, 12 December 2022

The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs held hearings over three days last week in Darwin and Alice Springs. These hearings were part of the Committee’s inquiry into the community safety, support services and job opportunities in the Northern Territory. We heard from a wide range of witnesses, including peak organisations, Aboriginal and mainstream organisations and service providers, individuals, businesses, and industry in these communities. We also attended two site visits with the Youth Outreach Engagement Team and at the Alternative to Custody Life Skills Camp. It was an incredibly important opportunity for the committee to be on the ground and hear directly from community members as part of this inquiry. We are very grateful for all those who provided evidence by sharing their experiences, expertise, concerns, and solutions. The Committee will report the evidence at the conclusion of its inquiry. Some of the key themes emerging from these hearings are: the importance of local, community-led initiatives to support community development and provide opportunities across all areas of the Committee’s terms of reference a call for these local initiatives to be supported by governments, but in a different way that may require systemic or funding reform the desire to work together so the community can flourish, which requires addressing the issues contributing to alcohol abuse and related harm the need to focus on prevention and early intervention to address root causes, not just symptoms. Submissions for the inquiry are open until 16 January 2023 for those who wish to provide evidence. The Committee previously heard from the NT Government, NT Police and the National Indigenous Australians Agency. Further virtual hearings will be held over the coming months before the Committee is required to report on its findings by 1 March 2023. For more information about this committee and its inquiry, including the terms of reference and instructions on making a submission, please visit the inquiry webpage. Media inquiries Office of Senator Patrick Dodson Media contact: Murray Mclaughlin 02 6277 3746

The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is travelling to the Northern Territory next week to hear from key stakeholders on the impacts of sunsetting the Stronger Futures legislation.

Media release issue date: Friday, 2 December 2022

The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is travelling to the Northern Territory next week to hear from key stakeholders on the impacts of sunsetting the Stronger Futures legislation. Hearings will be held across both Darwin and Alice Springs with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations, local community groups and government agencies. Committee Chair Senator Patrick Dodson said, ‘the committee looks forward to gaining new and important insights into the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as they prepare for and live with this significant legislative change.’ Senator Dodson further commented that ‘it is vital that we speak to grass roots organisations working in these NT communities to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they are confronting around safety, alcohol management, employment, and the justice system. The Committee is also keen to learn whether there is effective communication with policymakers on ideas and possible solutions to these issues.’ The hearing programs for 7-9 December are available online. For more information about this committee and its inquiry, including the terms of reference and instructions on making a submission, please visit the inquiry webpage. Media inquiries Office of Senator Patrick Dodson Media contact: Murray Mclaughlin 02 6277 3746

On the 28 September 2022, the Senate referred the Inquiry into Community Safety, Support Services and Job Opportunities in the Northern Territory, to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (JSCATSIA).

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 11 October 2022

On the 28 September 2022, the Senate referred the Inquiry into Community Safety, Support Services and Job Opportunities in the Northern Territory, to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (JSCATSIA). The inquiry is directed at considering the preparations made for the sunsetting of the Stronger Futures legislation and to consider its impacts on community safety and alcohol management, job opportunities and Community Development Program reform, justice reinvestment community services, and related matters. Committee Chair Senator Patrick Dodson said, “The committee expects to receive evidence from individuals living and working in the Northern Territory, as well as communities, organisations, land councils, and others with a connection to the important issues we will be inquiring into.” “I would like to encourage all Territorians to have their say on how the sunsetting of the Stronger Futures legislation has affected them and their communities.” The committee welcomes submissions from interested individuals and organisations. For more information about this committee and its inquiry, including the terms of reference and instructions on making a submission, please visit the inquiry webpage. You may also track the committee’s progress by clicking the blue ‘Track Committee’ button on the committee’s website. Media inquiries Office of Senator Patrick Dodson Media contact: Murrry Mclaughlin 02 6277 3746