QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McCARTHY (Northern Territory—Minister for Indigenous Australians) (14:45): I thank Senator Cox for the question. I know that she does a lot in Western Australia as a senator there, along with her colleagues, in terms of the remote regions. We promised at the last election to create 3,000 jobs in remote communities.

I am incredibly proud to update the Senate that we have delivered on that commitment with the approval of our 3,000th job. From Central Australia to Arnhem Land, the APY Lands, Cape York and the Torres Strait, we're providing the dignity of real work with proper pay and conditions like sick leave, annual leave and—are you listening, Senator Bragg?—superannuation.

Importantly, we aren't telling communities what job they must have. We are working with communities to develop sustainable industries that respond to their needs and aspirations. We are creating jobs in everything from construction and agriculture to health care, retail and administration.

We aren't dictating what form these jobs take. They're a mix of part-time, full-time and casual roles, providing flexibility to meet the needs of the individuals taking them up and the communities that they live in. We've delivered on our election commitment to create 3,000 jobs in remote communities, but, due to the success of the program, we are not stopping there.

The Prime Minister announced at the start of this year, as part of closing the gap, we're going to double that number, creating 6,000 jobs by the end of the decade. That means thousands more First Nations people having the opportunity to access the dignity of work. The Albanese Labor government knows the enormous potential of our remote First Nations communities, and that's what this investment is all about.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Cox, first supplementary?