Luke Hudson

Last month, the Federal Government announced a $17m National ID Card scheme, aimed to halt dysfunctional social activity in remote Northern Territory and Queensland communities, by quarantining welfare payments to improve standards of care for children.

However, several prominent Indigenous figures have labelled the Government’s plans as yet another complacent strategy which fails to get to the root of the problem.

Bennelong Society and Gold Coast Native Title Group Board Member Wesley Aird believes there is a light at the end of the tunnel for many rural Indigenous communities – but it won’t be seen without proper governance and greater accountability by town and state leaders.