Dr WOODRUFF – Premier, you talked before about closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Tasmanians and I note that Ashley Youth Detention Centre, which has an over-representation of Aboriginal children, remains indefinitely open on your watch. In this year’s Budget you have only committed $600,000 in this financial year, but nothing at all in the forward Estimates towards Closing the Gap and you have previously said that your focus on Closing the Gap means that is an excuse for you not to pursue a truth-telling process or treaty bill.
Mr ROCKLIFF – No, I didn’t say that.
Dr WOODRUFF – You actually did in parliament; that was your reason. Can you explain why you have failed to provide any funding towards implementing Closing the Gap in the forward Estimates?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Closing the Gap is our focus and –
Dr WOODRUFF – Where is the evidence that you care? It’s not just words.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I can seek some information for you. Our Budget includes $600,000 –
Dr WOODRUFF – Yes, this year.
Mr ROCKLIFF – to progress commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, including the development of a second Tasmanian implementation plan. This funding is in addition to the $5.3 million Closing the Gap capacity-building grants funds provided to Tasmanian Aboriginal organisations in 2023 to build their capacity to deliver services in their local community and specifically address Closing the Gap targets. The national agreement, developed in partnership between state, territory and federal governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, commits to a new way for our government and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to work together to improve the lives of Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
Dr WOODRUFF – Premier, to the question – why haven’t you put any money into the forward Estimates for this?
Mr ROCKLIFF – This Budget includes $600,000 –
Dr WOODRUFF – Only this year, not in the following years.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Our agencies, as part of their existing approach to these matters, also invest in Closing the Gap –
Dr WOODRUFF – How much in the forward Estimates?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Closing the Gap is part of our heads of agency performance agreements as well.
Dr WOODRUFF – Premier, your government has not tabled a Closing the Gap annual report since 2022. This is your priority issue for Tasmanian Aboriginal people. When will you table the next report and how are you proposing to develop a second implementation plan if you haven’t even reported on the government’s progress towards Closing the Gap for two years? You have no money in the forward Estimates and I don’t accept that pushing it into other agencies to do that work without any money is meaningful.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I mentioned the $600,000, but future funding is being considered after the new implementation plan is complete. That will be considered in future budgets as well. That new implementation plan funding in this year’s Budget will continue activity and maintain the Commonwealth partnership.
Dr WOODRUFF – But you haven’t reported on 2022, so what’s going on? You haven’t reported on your implementations for the previous period, so how can you talk about developing a new one when you haven’t actually reported since 2022?
Mr ROCKLIFF – The annual report, I’m advised, will be ready this year.
Dr WOODRUFF – The annual report from two years ago, and the annual report for last year as well?
Mr ROCKLIFF – We’ve been working very closely with stakeholders, as I’m advised. A report will be ready this year, as I understand it.
Dr WOODRUFF – Two annual reports that you have missed plus the one this year. So, three annual reports?
CHAIR – Order.
Dr WOODRUFF – Just checking, Chair. Reports for 2022, 2023 and 2024? Annual reports are meant to be annual.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I accept that, and other jurisdictions have similar arrangements to Tasmania, but we will endeavour to release the report as soon as possible, but also make that commitment.
Dr WOODRUFF – Can you see why Aboriginal Tasmanians don’t think you’re sincere when you’re using this as your excuse not to progress treaty and truth telling?
CHAIR – Order. Mrs Pentland has the call.
