TRANSCRIPT
Natalie Ahmat: Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion says the Indigenous Advisory Council provided valuable advice to the former prime minister and himself.
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Mr Scullion was in Perth for a new federally funded employment strategy. Craig Quartermaine caught up with him at Crown Casino.
Craig Quartermaine: What should have been a straight forward visit to Perth for Senator Scullion took on a new tone after the leadership spill and appointment of a new ministry. He welcomed Noongar Man, Ken Wyatt to the front bench.
Senator Nigel Scullion, Minister for Indigenous Affairs: I think its fantastic. I know Ken and he's going to do a fantastic job, and he knows a lot about his previous portfolios. Health and education has been at high levels servant in those areas knows a lot about them, knows a lot about the Indigenous needs.
I know Ken and he's going to do a fantastic job
So I'm just delighted to have him sharing the front bench with me.
Craig Quartermaine: Scullion also hopes that the leadership change won't affect the date of the Constitutional referendum.
Senator Nigel Scullion: Well I would hope so, the date and the symbolism, that's a really important date, and we need to move towards that. I have seen a reluctance of significant change there.
Mr Scullion said he felt Indigenous policy was handled sufficiently well through the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Returning it to his portfolio wasn't a major priority.
Senator Nigel Scullion: My secretary is Mr Thorley who is the secretary of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. When he picks the phone up the other secretaries stand up and pay attention. I think that's very important having the primacy. Again, I'll have to talk the prime minister about alternative arrangements, but I'm somebody who changes for change's sake. And I'll need to be convinced before we make any changes.
Craig Quartermaine NITV News
