Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Aboriginal Homelands ABORIGINAL HOMELANDS The Hon. R.D. LAWSON Legislative Council ABORIGINAL HOMELANDS The Hon. R.D. LAWSON (15:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation a question about Aboriginal homelands. Leave granted. The Hon. R.D. LAWSON Legislative Council The Hon. R.D. LAWSON: Members will have seen the announcement made earlier this week by the Northern Territory government that it no longer intends to provide financial support for so-called Aboriginal homelands—independent settlements which were fostered originally under the Whitlam government. The Northern Territory government intends to develop the infrastructure in townships in order to ensure better quality of life for Aboriginal people by enabling the establishment and maintenance of schools with sufficient enrolments, appropriate medical services and other community supports. This decision appears to have the support of the federal government. Incidentally, I do commend the federal government for continuing the Howard government's intervention in the Northern Territory—a vital and necessary strategy. My questions to the minister are: 1.	What is the expenditure of South Australian government money in this state on the upkeep and support of any so-called 'homelands' that are located in this state, and how many such settlements are presently being supported? 2.	Does the government intend to follow the example of the Northern Territory and focus expenditure on the development of larger communities and, if so, when will that strategy be implemented? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:20): I thank the honourable member for his important questions. I will refer them to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation in another place and bring back a response.