APY LANDS, BUDGET INITIATIVES

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (15:05): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Will the minister inform the chamber about planned investment on the APY lands over the next few years?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:06): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. The 2013-14 state budget contains a number of important provisions for the APY lands and its people. Most importantly, it delivers a number of initiatives that will deliver greater food security and further economic opportunities to the people of the APY lands.

For a long time, it has been recognised that the roads of the APY lands are a barrier to economic opportunity and also for the movement of people between communities. I am very pleased, therefore, to announce that the government has provided $21 million that I mentioned last time for fixing and upgrading roads on the lands. Together with the $85 million allocated from the federal government, bringing the total to $106 million, the money will be spent on fixing and upgrading roads in the lands.

This includes sections of the very important main access road between the Stuart Highway and Pukatja. A more reliable main access road is something the Anangu have been calling for for some time. It will improve, I hope, the security of food and other supplies to the APY lands and communities. It will also provide enhanced opportunities for cultural exports and tourism and perhaps even mineral exploration.

The current road, I am advised, is highly corrugated and below the natural surface. This causes flooding problems when it rains and, in turn, this requires ongoing further maintenance. The project, I am told, will build up, shape and compact, technically, a pit raised granular pavement using existing alignment, with some realignment on the adjacent natural surface. This is a significant upgrade of infrastructure and, whilst it may be quite overdue, I am pleased to advise that the South Australian government, under the leadership of Jay Weatherill, has come to the table.

I am also pleased to advise that the South Australian government will spend $3.6 million over three years for the closure, capping and replacement of landfill sites in the APY lands. This work was identified as a key priority in a report on waste management in the lands prepared by the APY Executive Board in 2011, I am told. The work will improve waste management in the APY lands and ensure that landfill sites in the region are much improved on a number of waste management measures.

There is also a critical need to continue and expand the ongoing therapeutic service to communities on the lands. The 2013-14 state budget includes $3½ million over two years for an ongoing therapeutic service in response to problem sexual behaviour to be delivered on the APY lands. The work undertaken on the lands so far has shown great results. Children and their families are receiving support to help deal with the effects of this problem behaviour. The state government has now responded to requests for similar therapeutic services by providing the funds necessary to expand this important work to the Ernabella and Indulkana communities.

I understand that the work undertaken to date within the Amata community has led to the Amata community, and the individual families and family groups within it, developing an understanding, acceptance and responsibility for the range of sexualised behaviours exhibited by young people in the community. I am advised the community and families are showing ownership of the problem and leadership and are committed to making changes into the future for their community and families.

Lastly, I can advise that $564,000 has been allocated to support the administration of APY and the executive board. As many members of this chamber would be aware, the administration of APY is currently going through a change management process to effectively deliver on the powers and functions required under the legislative framework. They are also undertaking this process to ensure the appropriate internal management systems and sound financial systems and other controls are in place to improve corporate governance and accountability. This will also help ensure the APY administration has appropriate corporate governance systems and controls in place to support the core function of the landholding authority.

The 2013-14 state budget delivers a number of important initiatives for the APY lands and its peoples. While there is always much more that needs to be done and can be done, I am very pleased to advise that the state government, under the leadership of Premier Jay Weatherill, is continuing its commitment to delivering the services and infrastructure that Anangu require.