There are fears the Abbott government's first budget will threaten plans to close the gap on indigenous disadvantage.
Especially if the national commission of audit gets its way.
It recommends a massive consolidation of indigenous programs and bodies, reducing the latter from about 150 to no more than six or seven.
The commission argues there is too much overlap and duplication between the commonwealth and states, and administrative processes are excessively bureaucratic.
It says the commonwealth should pull back on funding for traditionally state-based areas such as housing.
The prime minister's indigenous advisory council worked with the commission to identify fat to trim.
Chairman Warren Mundine is prepared to be "hated" after budget day and is happy to see ineffective programs put on the chopping block and the cash reallocated to more successful ventures.
"It's critical to keep the budget as it is in dollar terms, but we need to look at reallocation," he told AAP.
Too much money was caught up in red tape, bureaucracy or just wasted.
Some justice, education and employment programs were in doubt because there had not been many gains in 30 years.
Mr Mundine wants indigenous mental health, healing and anti-smoking programs safeguarded.
Labor wants indigenous affairs completely quarantined from budget cuts.
"You can't cut your way to closing the gap," indigenous affairs spokesman Shayne Neumann told AAP.
Tony Abbott in February introduced a new Close the Gap target aimed at improving school attendance and there's likely to be some cash thrown that way.
There might be money as well for recommendations in Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest's review if indigenous employment and training programs.
Mr Neumann wants to see increased spending on programs aimed at tackling the high incarceration rate of indigenous people.
He's also urged the government to renew a deal with the states on indigenous health funding and increase money for community-controlled health clinics.
The National Congress of Australia's First People says some communities are still feeling the pinch from the Howard government's razor gang in 1996.
"At the local level now there are no longer resources to deal with community dysfunction problems," chairman Les Maleze said, citing cuts to organisations working with women and youth as an example.
He's concerned about cuts already announced that will hit organisations doing indigenous advocacy work.
"It's a recipe for disaster," he said.
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