More than 50 residents met with NT Senator Nigel Scullion last night at Knotts Crossing Resort.
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PFAS exposure was the major focus of the town hall style meeting.
“People are a lot more anxious than I thought they were,” Senator Scullion said.
“You all must hate being the beacon and the experiment.
“What we are doing now is best practice, maybe we got it wrong at the start but now we are addressing it.”
Senator Scullion promised the community that experts would be accessible to residents following the release of voluntary blood test results.
Residents also called on the Federal Government to boost funding for programs which address youth apathy and crime.
A drop-in centre and extra night patrols were suggested as a way to stop youth roaming the streets at night.
Many also questioned access to mental health services in the wake of Dolly Everett’s suicide this month.
Senator Scullion, who is also the federal Indigenous Affairs minister, announced a $133,542 boost to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Katherine.
“The Prime Minister made a commitment to doing things with Indigenous Australians rather than to them, and the Indigenous Entrepreneurs Fund is just one of the ways in which the Coalition Government is working with innovative Indigenous businesses particularly in remote areas,” Senator Scullion said.
“Indigenous entrepreneurs have the potential to transform their communities but in some cases they just need a hand with the capital to turn their business idea into a reality, through this package we are giving Indigenous entrepreneurs a fair go.
“This proposal is a strong economic and business development opportunity as there are currently a number of major capital works projects in the Katherine region and will also create new job opportunities for Indigenous jobseekers in the region,” he said.