• [AU] Indigenous affairs minister discovered siphoning money into lobby groups
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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/nov/03/indigenous-groups-call-for-investigation-into-scullion-fund-stoush Indigenous groups call for investigation into Scullion fund stoush Indigenous groups are calling for a full investigation into Nigel Scullion’s “totally inappropriate use of Aboriginal-earmarked funds”, following revelations that as minister he approved grants to NT lobby groups to argue against land claims. Ah Kit was also the director of the Northern Land Council for seven years and was involved in hundreds of land claim processes. He said it was standard practice for groups who wanted to lodge a detriment case to seek funds from the attorney general’s department, not use Indigenous funding. Scullion granted almost $500,000 to three industry groups – the NT Seafood council, the NT cattlemen’s association and the NT amateur fishermen’s association - to help resolve their detriment cases in outstanding land rights claims. Scullion was chair of the NT seafood council from 1994–2001, and gave evidence of detriment at some of the land claims in that capacity. The first peoples congress represents thousands of Aboriginal people and 180 Aboriginal organisations. Co-chair, Jackie Huggins said the IAS funding process was “deeply flawed”. “The IAS is a bone of contention everywhere I have been around the country. It’s brought up all the time how difficult it is to get IAS funding, for even small community groups, for things like women’s health, diabetes education, or night patrols, mothers and babies programs – the things that are important for communities to thrive and be safe. “The IAS was set up for the purpose of improving outcomes and social participation for our people and I don’t see how these grants align with that,” she said.
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