Mob Reckons They Could Teach Angus A Thing Or Two About Promises That Go Nowhere

CANBERRA – The Federal Opposition has indicated it would welcome consultation with First Nations leaders on the strategic challenge of maintaining public momentum behind policy announcements that will never be implemented.

The approach follows Opposition Leader Angus Taylor’s first budget reply speech, which committed to a suite of measures contingent on winning the next election – caps on migration, restrictions on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and reductions to welfare for non-citizens.

A senior Coalition spokesperson said the party was looking for advice on how to sustain credibility around proposals that would not take effect for some time, if at all.

“We’re entering new territory” the spokesperson said. “We’re announcing significant changes to immigration, welfare and disability funding without having to actually deliver any of it. It’s an unusual position. We thought it might be useful to talk to people with deep operational experience.”

The party has confirmed initial outreach has been made to several Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, peak bodies, and Land Councils – all of whom have been receiving high-profile policy commitments without follow-through since approximately 1788.

“There’s a lot of practical knowledge there” the spokesperson said. “How do you generate a press conference? How do you keep the news cycle going? How do you reframe the announcement when it doesn’t come through? These are people who have seen every approach.”

A senior community spokesperson said the consultation request had been received, considered and “filed under things that have happened before.”

“We’ve got two centuries of experience with announcements that never arrive” the spokesperson said. “Happy to share. We’ll need a sit-down, a feed, and a guarantee that whatever we say will be ignored within six weeks. Standard rates.”