THE HON. DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE
SENATOR JACINTA NAMPIJINPA PRICE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
MS LISA SIEBERT
COUNTRY LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATE FOR LINGIARI
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
18 March 2025
REDTAILS PINKTAILS RIGHT TRACKS FOUNDATION SECURE CRITICAL FUNDING FROM COALITION
Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Country Liberal Party candidate for Lingiari, Ms Lisa Siebert have today announced the Coalition’s commitment of $2.8 million annually over the next four years to the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Foundation.
The announcement, made in Alice Springs today, follows the significant private donation to the Foundation by earthmoving company QH & M Birt owned by Quentin and Kylie Birt, last month enabling the construction of a Sports, Learning, and Leadership Centre in Alice Springs. The Coalition’s commitment today would provide certainty to cover costs of delivering the Foundation’s programs.
“This funding presents a phenomenal opportunity for Central Australia,” Mr Littleproud said.
“It doesn’t stop there, because as the Coalition knows, a win for regional and remote Australia is a win for the whole of Australia.”
Senator Nampijinpa Price said the announcement was evidence of the Coalition’s commitment to investing in practical solutions for Indigenous Australians which will inevitably result in stronger communities for everyone.
“The Redtails Pinktails have been operating for many years – putting in hard work diligently and consistently and have been achieving remarkable outcomes for some of our most marginalised as a result,” Senator Nampijinpa Price said.
“There’s proven success here, and that’s exactly the kind of program the Coalition prioritises investing in.”
While the programs are primarily aimed at young people, Lisa Siebert maintains that youth won’t be the only ones who benefit.
“When young people have a place of purpose and belonging, that impacts their families in a positive way, and provides opportunities for meaningful connection in a broader sense which is felt by entire communities,” Ms Siebert said.
“This project signals an important shift in Indigenous affairs, by providing outcomes for our marginalised by focusing on need over race.”
Foundation co-founder, Mr Rob Clarke noted the broad-reaching nature of the programs that will be able to be established as a result of the Coalition’s commitment.
“While sport will have a key part to play, these programs also provide critical education and leadership development opportunities,” Mr Clarke said.
“Each of these aspects are integral to developing young people who want to contribute to society and who possess the tools which enable them to achieve that.”
As part of their desire to see a reduction in anti-social behaviour, the Foundation intends to include participation conditions which encourage responsible patterns of behaviour.
“These programs are not two-dimensional,” Mr Clarke said.
“We want to not only provide opportunities to learn and develop skills, but to encourage better ways of living in a holistic sense; to empower our young people to be the best versions of themselves, for the benefit of the whole community and the generations to come.”
Senator Nampijinpa Price said some of Australia’s most marginalised live in and around Central Australia, and the programs would be open to people from those areas, regardless of race.
[ENDS]
Rebekah Hart
Media Adviser
Office of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
Senator for the Northern Territory
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians
T: (08) 8948 3555 | E: Rebekah.Hart@aph.gov.au
