Wanted: Budget papers for Greg Aplin
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Paul Lynch has offered to send his Opposition spokesman Greg Aplin a set of up-to-date Budget papers so he can better understand his responsibilities to the public.
"Today Mr Aplin used Parliament to play the tired old political game of selectively using information to suit a standard, lazy line of attack," Mr Lynch said.
"People are sick of the blame game - they want their politicians to deliver essential services and resources to their communities," he said.
"For Mr Aplin to claim the Aboriginal Affairs Budget is not delivering on efforts to improve disadvantage and tackle child sexual assault is reckless," Mr Lynch said.
"There is no doubt that there is always more to be done when it comes to closing the gap," he said.
"The Rees Government is acutely aware of the task ahead of us," Mr Lynch said.
"If Mr Aplin does not know about budget allocations in his portfolio, he should give someone with more interest a go," he said.
The 2008-09 Aboriginal Affairs Budget dedicates more resources. On June 3, 2008, the Government released the following statement:
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Paul Lynch said the 2008-09 Budget delivered on State Plan targets.
Highlights of the Aboriginal Affairs Budget include:
- $22.9 million over 4 years to combat child sexual abuse through the expansion of Safe Families to the Orana Far West region
- $6.3 million over 3 years to build water and sewerage infrastructure in 22 communities, and $29.9 million over 4 years to provide on-going support for the operation, maintenance and monitoring of water and sewerage systems. This is a $205 million, 25-year partnership with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council to upgrade water and sewerage services in Aboriginal communities
- $19.6 million in 2008-09 for housing and environmental health work under the $240 million Aboriginal Communities Development Program
- $1.9 million in 2008-09 to provide project officers for 40 communities
- $687,000 to deliver Job Compacts, Aboriginal languages and to support significant cultural events
Expansion of Safe Families to Orana Far West region
Over the next 4 years, $22.9 million will be dedicated to combating child sexual abuse.
The funding will enhance services in the Orana Far West region to support victims, with an initial focus on raising community awareness and community engagement.
Delivering better water and sewerage services and infrastructure
Over the next three years, work will start on new water and sewerage infrastructure under the $6.3 million infrastructure program.
This is part of the joint Iemma Government-New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council long-term commitment to deliver better services and investment in infrastructure.
Over the next 25 years about $205 million will be spent to upgrade and maintain water and sewerage infrastructure in 60 Aboriginal communities.
Mr Lynch said better water and sewerage services would help deliver improved health for Aboriginal people.
"Healthier kids study better, increasing their chances to succeed in school," he said.
"Healthier parents are also better able to provide for the welfare of families and participate in their communities," Mr Lynch said.
Aboriginal Communities Development Program
Under this $240 million program, $19.6 million has been earmarked in 2008-09 to deliver housing and environmental health work.
