Ex-PM ‘Tony’ thanks locals for their insights
Ousted former prime minister Tony Abbott visited Kununurra District High School last Tuesday as part of his national regional tour in his new role as Indigenous Envoy for the Federal Government.
He sat down with East Kimberley Clontarf Senior Academy boys and Girls Academy students to talk about what they love about Kununurra and what could be done at a government level to improve the town for indigenous people.
Mr Abbott said Prime Minister Scott Morrison asked him to fill his new role due to his dedication to visiting rural Australia over his political career.
“I’ve been in Parliament for 24 years, and throughout that time I’ve tried to spend a bit of time every year in remote parts of Australia,” he said.
“Even though I regard myself as a conservative, I think that better connections between indigenous people and the rest of the Australian community are important.
“I think the best thing I can do in this envoy role is make recommendations about improving indigenous school attendance.”
Speaking exclusively to The Kimberley Echo, Mr Abbott responded to questions about the taxpayer value of his tour.
“I have met a lot of community members earlier today (not just at the school) and they have given me a lot of insight,” he said.
“If you get the chance to chew the ear of someone of influence, you are always better off taking the chance.
“If nothing comes of it, what have you lost?”
Mr Abbott asked everyone he spoke with to address him as Tony and addressed students directly by their first names when responding to their suggestions.
He was greeted at the school gates by school captain Jessica Sunderind and many other students, and shook hands with them all..
The students treated Mr Abbott to performances from the school choir, the junior wind instrument band and Years 3 and 4 singing We Will Rock You in Miriwoong.
He finished his visit by going to see students involved in the Youth Engagement Strategy at the school’s Hub.
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