A Liberal MP has lashed out at indigenous welfare programs, saying taxpayers shouldn't fund "noble savage" lifestyle choices of remote communities.
Western Australian MP Dennis Jensen believes the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous outcomes will never close with government dependency, calling for strong economic strategy.
He agrees with former prime minister Tony Abbott that taxpayers shouldn't fund the "lifestyle choices" of Australia's remote indigenous communities.
"We allow our Aboriginal Australians to live in situations, and support situations financially, that we would support with nobody else," he said on Monday.
Addressing parliament on bills to release funds for government programs, Mr Jensen said if the "noble savage" ideal was true, indigenous Australians could pursue it without any taxpayer funding.
Liberal party values were to seek equality of opportunity, not of outcome, he said.
Recalling a trip to Broome, Mr Jensen told of a local chamber of commerce tour when he was driven past sections of land dotted with smashed alcohol bottles and litter.
Despite the indigenous elders being "disgusted" by the situation, the groups causing the mess could only be moved on every three days because the land was Native Title, he said.
"If the indigenous elders are disgusted by this and it's their land, why aren't they doing something about it?" he asked.
Mr Jensen believes indigenous Australians must participate in the "real economy" and policies must move away from government dependency and welfare centricity.
Getting kids into school and adults into work should be the only priorities.
Mr Jensen criticised his government's own Empowered Communities program, saying indigenous people were not empowered when they depend on the government for everything.
