NITV’s flagship current affairs program The Point will air a special election covering the issues impacting First Nations communities and asking the questions that need to be answered before the May 21 poll.
The Point hosts NITV’s John-Paul Janke and Network Ten’s Narelda Jacobs will explore some of these issues in-depth, 7.30pm Tuesday night.
They will be joined in-studio by Labor’s Linda Burney and the Greens Lidia Thorpe. The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, is unavailable to attend and the Coalition is yet to confirm who will represent the party on NITV’s program.
They will be joined by a live studio audience of representatives from community organisations and peak advocacy groups who will be putting forward questions to the politicians about a range of important issues including the cost of living, climate change, the Uluru Statement, health, education, justice and the NDIS.
Video questions will also be submitted from audience members remotely.
Narelda Jacobs, host of The Point and Network Ten’s Studio 10 said: “In an election that could see Australia head to a referendum, The Point’s election special will discuss the very issue that would send us there.
“The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a blueprint for the future and on May 17 community leaders will be asking politicians what they will do for First Nations people on a range of things from the voice, health, education and justice to truth.
“Many say the next term of government is our best chance at closing the gaps so let’s put the campaign spotlight on First Nations issues,” she added.
John-Paul Janke, host of The Point, said: “The outcome of this election will set the framework and momentum towards securing institutional, and structural reforms for First Nations communities.
“Communities across Australia have been seeking these reforms for generations. Almost 20 years on from the abolition of ATSIC, how do we put our aspirations on the national agenda once again – and create a move from rhetoric to reality.”
Last week, Pat Turner the co-chair of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap told The Point there has been too little focus on Indigenous Affairs during this federal election campaign.
“I think it’s a national shame that the two major parties have barely said anything useful.”
NITV will provide additional news and analysis about the election with reporting from political correspondent Sarah Collard and the national team of First Nations journalists across NITV News each night, in daily coverage online, and more on NITV Radio.
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Top image: John Paul Janke and Narelda Jacobs