Last updated by Admin, September 6, 2010

Event Date:  19 July 2010

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Hon Jenny Macklin MP addressed the Chifley Research Centre to highlight the achievements of the Federal Labor government and to outline the priorities of a second term Labor government.

The address, held at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra and attended by over one hundred people, gave a detailed account of the inroads that the government has made in its first three years based broadly on three principles which included:

• Addressing decades of under-investment in services, infrastructure and governance.
• Working with communities to re-build the positive social and community norms that are so necessary for strong families and healthy communities.
• And strengthening relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

This strategy has seen steady gains being made and the Minister called for patience and perseverance in tackling some of the largest instances of inequality in Australia.

The Minister ended her speech by talking about the importance of fostering leaders in Indigenous communities and enabling Indigenous people to drive the reforms that are needed in their own communities with the help of government, she said that it is fundamental that we aim to ensure that every Indigenous child "has the same expectations of life as any other Australian kid - a job, a home, a strong family (and) being proud of where they come from."

You can watch this engaging speech by clicking on the videos below.

Hon Jenny Macklin MP address part one

Hon Jenny Macklin MP address part two

Hon Jenny Macklin MP address part three

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