List of recommendations

Recommendation 1

2.25The Committee recommends that the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Northern Territory Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet conduct a review into the inadequate preparations for the sunsetting of the Stronger Futures Act, by 31 December 2023, and develop policies to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future.

Recommendation 2

3.67The Committee recommends that the Northern Territory Government provides adequate support and resources to communities to assist in the development of community alcohol plans under section 170AD of the Liquor Act 2019 (NT).

Recommendation 3

3.68The Committee recommends that the Northern Territory Government amends the Liquor Regulation 2019 (NT) to include, as a prescribed matter for paragraph 170AD(1)(d) of the Liquor Act 2019 (NT), a statement to formalise how the community will be able to ask the Minister to exercise their temporary emergency powers to deliver effective responses, and to accurately report outcomes as a consequence of those changes.

Recommendation 4

4.43The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Government departments and agencies review their funding agreements with service providers to ensure that they are fit-for-purpose, including:

Moving towards outcomes-focused funding agreements, rather than output, to provide sufficient flexibility for locally-led approaches to shared outcomes.

Whether there are opportunities to enhance place-based models of funding by supporting collaboration among organisations delivering similar services in the same region.

Embedding holistic health approaches to service provision that will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities’ social, emotional and cultural wellbeing.

Recommendation 5

4.44The Committee recommends that the Northern Territory Government work with local communities to prioritise the sharing of real time data and information, with consent, to enable them to deliver initiatives and responses to issues in communities.

Recommendation 6

5.29The Committee recommends that, as part of the ongoing review and trials of the CDP and its replacement, the Commonwealth Government:

Require providers to undertake community consultation to identify areas of possible employment in their region and tailor participants work and training opportunities towards filling those future jobs.

Provide a mechanism for participants to learn from and gain exposure to successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in business.

Recommendation 7

5.30The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government investigates potential policies to stimulate economic activity in remote communities, outside of the CDP, and that the Minister report the findings to the Parliament by the 29 February 2024.

Recommendation 8

5.31The Committee recommends that, by 30 June 2024, the Commonwealth Government develops and implements a policy to ensure large businesses operating in remote regions employ local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and managed businesses.

Recommendation 9

6.50The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government implement the community-led justice reinvestment initiatives across Australia, particularly in Alice Springs and Katherine, as soon as possible.