I am ambitious for First Nations people.

As Minister for Indigenous Australians in the Albanese Labor Government, I know my colleagues share my view.

We are already delivering but there is more to do and if we are given the honour of being re-elected on May 3, we will have a range of priorities.

Closing the Gap

Closing the Gap - so that all Australians have the same opportunities in life – should be a priority for all governments - federal, state and local.

We are delivering substantial investments in health, in education, in housing, in jobs and economic empowerment, and in community-led justice reinvestment initiatives, but we know the job is far from done.

Crucially, our government is committed to working in partnership with First Nations communities and First Nations organisations, including through the Coalition of Peaks.

Jobs

We're delivering on our commitment before the last election to replace the failed CDP.

Our new remote jobs program is creating up to 3,000 jobs in remote communities over three years – providing the dignity of work with decent wages and conditions.

Importantly, these jobs are being created with First Nations people, putting communities in the driver seat.

More than 100 employers will establish an initial 650 new jobs in remote communities across the country, with more to come.

That includes new jobs in the Kimberley in Western Australia, Central Australia, Arnhem Land, the Top End and Tiwi Islands, north and south Queensland, western New South Wales and remote South Australia.

We're also establishing a new remote employment service, to help job seekers acquire skills and find pathways into work.

Free TAFE has also removed financial barriers so more than 30,000 First Nations people can learn new skills in areas of demand.

Indigenous Rangers

We're also delivering on our commitment to double the number of Indigenous Rangers by the end of the decade.

We've expanded the program with more than 1,000 new Ranger jobs, including 770 jobs for First Nations women.

And we're funding an additional 800 new ranger positions, to create jobs on Country, caring for Country.

We're also expanding our Junior Rangers program with 10 new locations, including in every state and territory, giving students the opportunity to learn new skills on-Country.

Food Security

First Nations people in remote communities have paid high prices for food and other essentials for far too long.

Food insecurity can have serious health impacts, including cardiovascular and kidney disease.

After a decade of inaction when the Coalition was in government, we are acting.

We're slashing the cost of 30 essential items in over 150 remote stores across the country, to provide cost of living relief.

We're investing in food storage capacity for remote stores most at risk of being cut off, to ensure communities can access nutritious food.

From Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama in Cape York, to Amata and Kaltjiti in the APY Lands, to Gunbalanya in Arnhem Land.

Housing

We're unlocking over $4.7 billion to build homes, address homelessness, and support First Nations renters and first home buyers — as part of our $43 billion Homes for Australia Plan.

Our remote housing agreement with the Northern Territory Government, Aboriginal Housing NT and Land Councils is already delivering new homes in communities.

The program will build 270 new homes each year over the decade, with the aim of halving overcrowding in communities.

We're also investing $200 million for housing repairs and infrastructure across remote WA, SA, QLD, and the NT.

Peter Dutton and his Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians have no plans and nothing positive to offer First Nations Australians.

Only a Royal Commission and cuts.

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia's future for all Australians.

Let's continue to build that future, together.

Malarndirri McCarthy is an NT Senator and the federal Minister for Indigenous Australians.